GJEPC launches IIJS Signature in Mumbai on January 5

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Jan 5, 2023

The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council inaugurated its first trade show of 2023 on January 5 in Mumbai. India International Jewellery Show Signature’s fifteenth edition kicked off with an inauguration ceremony featuring Minister of Maharashtra State for Commerce and Industry, Anupriya Patel.

The trade show will run at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai until January 9, the GJEPC announced in a press release on January 5. Along with Patel, guests at the event’s inauguration ceremony included member of parliament Poonam Mahajan, Malabar Gold & Diamonds chairman MP Ahammed, and Department of Commerce director R. Arulanandan among others. 
 
“Effort made by GJEPC to make the 5-day IIJS Signature show bigger, better and greener is truly praiseworthy and commendable,” said the event’s chief guest, the Minister of Maharashtra State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel at the inauguration, the GJEPC reported in a press release. “IIJS Signature has given an opportunity to indigenous jewellers from diverse parts of the country to showcase their versatile collections to international buyers from 50+ countries. With $40 billion worth of exports, the gems and jewellery sector is a prominent contributor to growing Indian exports year on year. India has just signed two significant FTAs with UAE and Australia, which has resulted in strong double-digit growth in exports to these countries. Talks are going on with Canada, EU and UK and Piyush [Goyal] ji has promised to operationalise two more FTAs this year.”

This edition of IIJS Signature is the GJEPC’s largest scale to date. Extended to five days instead of four, the trade show exhibition area measures over 65,000 square feet and over 1,300 exhibitors booked over 2,400 booths from which to showcase their latest fine jewellery designs. This year, IIJS Signature has record number of 800 foreign visitors from 600 companies from 50 countries. 
 
“India is a world leader in diamonds, gems and jewellery and GJEPC has earned the title of being the most proactive EPC in India due to several initiatives such as IIJS, international exhibitions and promotions,” said GJEPC chairman Vipul Shah. “This year, the show has become bigger, better and greener than ever before. India's overall gem and jewellery exports in this year saw a growth of 8.26% as compared to last year. The last quarter of this fiscal year is very crucial as it demands a strong growth to achieve this year’s target of $45.7 billion. Post the operationalisation of India-UAE CEPA, the gem amd jewellery industry witnessed around 25% growth in exports to UAE. And now with India-Australia ECTA, we will witness similar growth in exports to Australia in the coming months. We also look forward to the FTAs with UK and Canada.”