GJEPC participates in ASEAN conference and Istanbul Jewellery Show

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Oct 16, 2019

The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council’s chairman Pramod Kumar Agrawal participated in the eighth ASEAN Gems and Jewellery Association Conference in Turkey and the inauguration of the Istanbul Jewellery Show.

The GJEPC chairman Pramod Kumar Agrawal addressed the 8th ASEAN Gems and Jewellery Association Conference which was hosted by the Jewellery Exporters’ Association of Turkey before the 49th edition of the Istanbul Jewellery Show. This was the third time the GJEPC has participated in the conference representing the Indian jewellery industry, the GJEPC posted on its website. 

As a participant in the “ASEAN plus 6” initiative, India has committed to increase cooperation and trade in the region under the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. The RCEP includes a proposal for a free trade agreement which would cover the gems and jewellery industry.

Agarwal spoke on “Easy trade, trade wars and free trade agreements" at the conference, calling for greater jewellery trade in the region. Revising tax rates and simplifying FTA negotiations would contribute to this, he said. He also added that the Government of India is working on increasing ease of doing business in the sector. “Indian jewellery manufacturers are open for entering into collaboration for setting up of manufacturing facilities in any country,” said Agarwal, as reported by the GJEPC.

The Istanbul Jewellery Show, which ran from October 10 to 13, featured around 800 exhibitors and around 19,000 trade visitors. Agarwal took part in the inauguration of the event and visited Kuyumcukent in Istanbul, a  gold, silver, and jewellery production and trade centre.