IIJS Premiere 2023 gets off to a flying start with 42,000 pre-registered buyers

The show is set to witness the industry’s biggest gathering of domestic and international buyers

The 39^th edition of the India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) Premiere got off to a flying start at the Jio World Convention Centre on Thursday, August 3, 2023, with notable names from the gems and jewellery industry gathering for the inaugural. For the first time, the show is being held concurrently across two venues in Mumbai – the Jio World Convention Centre (JWCC) from August 3-7, and the Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC), from August 4-8.

The grand opening of the show at JWCC saw the presence of Mike Hankey, Consul General, Consulate General of USA, Mumbai, Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, Paul Rowley, Executive Vice President, Diamond Trading, De Beers Group, G.R. Radhakrishnan, Managing Director of GRT Jewellers, and the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) leadership including Vipul Shah, Chairman, Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman, Nirav Bhansali, Convenor, National Exhibitions, Mitesh Gajera, Co Convenor, National Exhibitions and Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director of GJEPC.

Speaking at the event, Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “Today marks a momentous occasion as we inaugurate IIJS Premiere 2023 with excitement and anticipation as we embark on a new chapter in the history of the prestigious event, being held for the first time across two venues. We cannot help but marvel at this remarkable journey of IIJS with its humble beginnings in 1985 as ‘Jewel Yatra’ featuring just 25 visitors at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. The show has steadily evolved to be the world’s second-largest show worldwide. Overall, there are 3,250 stalls and 1850 exhibitors across the Jio Convention Centre and BEC, covering an area of 70,000 sq metres of exhibition area. The response from visitors has been overwhelming, with 42,000 pre-registrations from across India. We are excited to welcome more than 2,000 visitors from 65+ countries, and delegations from 16 nations adding a significant international dimension to the event. As every year, IIJS Premiere 2023 is poised to be a memorable event featuring a plethora of highlights that will leave an indelible mark on everyone.”

Shah also highlighted GJEPC’s thrust on environmental sustainability through its initiative One Earth, and said it has surpassed the target of planting 1 lakh trees. As the current global geopolitical situations have affected exports, Shah said GJEPC is proactively taking into account newer markets. “GJEPC has conducted visits to study the potential for further penetration in the existing markets and explore opportunities in new markets like Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Andaman, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka,” he said, adding that GJEPC is hosting shows to provide a platform for Indian gems and jewellery businesses to showcase their offerings internationally.

Commenting on India’s diamond trade, Paul Rowley, Executive Vice-President, Diamond Trading, De Beers Group, said, “At De-Beers, we see India as an exciting opportunity. India has been the fastest-growing major market this year. It’s clear that the landscape in India will be a perfect platform for growth and the key to having potential outstanding business.”

Mike Hankey, Consul General, Consulate General of USA in Mumbai, highlighted the trade linkage between the United States and India markets in the diamond trade. “India exports about $ 20 billion worth of gems and jewellery to the US market, making it the biggest market for India, and we treasure that. Most of the finished diamonds that come through India are going to the US market. The retail market in the US and the production market in India are inextricably linked. These linkages offer us yet another pillar to brace this relationship between our two countries,” he said.

On Friday, August 4, 2023, IIJS Premiere was inaugurated at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, with C K Venkataraman, Managing Director, Titan Company Limited and G.R. Ananthapadmanabhan, Managing Director, GRT Jewellers, as the Guests of Honour, in the presence of Vipul Shah, Kirit Bhansali, Nirav Bhansali and Sabyasachi Ray.

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