Jaipur: The first edition of India Gemstone Week, organized by Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC} was inaugurated yesterday by Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Mr. C R Chaudhary at a glittering ceremony at Hotel Fair Mont in Pink City. The grand event also marked the presence of eminent dignitaries from the GJEPC such as Mr Pramod Agrawal, Chairman, Mr. Dilip Shah, Convener-International Exhibition, Mr. Nirmal Bardia, Regional Chairman, Rajasthan and Mr. Vijay Kedia, Co-Convener, International Exhibitions.
The event will showcase India’s unique leadership potential in the International Gemstone market and its contribution through finest artisanship to the industry. The flagship event organized by Gem and Jewellery Promotion Export Council (GJEPC) witnesses international decision makers, local participating manufacturers of gemstones and industry insiders together under one roof for promoting trade globally.
Mr. CR Chaudhary, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, said “I am excited to see the Indian Gemstone industry’s making strides as a potential industry with value addition contributing to ‘Make In India.’ I am happy to add that this industry is helping the economy in terms of employment and skill development initiative by providing over 2 Lakhs jobs to people in the Gemstone sector alone aligning with the PM’s Skill Development. I am confident that with globally demands soaring exponentially over the years will raise the bar for the industry to significantly create a niche for itself amongst the transnational market. I am sure that this industry will set new benchmarks and get more organized in the coming years.”
Mr. Pramod Agrawal, Chairman, GJEPC in his inaugural speech said, “GJEPC has always endeavoured to create avenues that helps promote trade from India to showcase their best potential in Diamonds, Gemstones or Jewellery. India Gemstone Week is a unique platform where we are showcasing our capabilities to 89 international buyers from 22 countries.36 handpicked manufacturers from India would display their exquisite capabilities in manufacturing world-class cut & polished Gemstones both Precious & semi-Precious.”
Mr. Agrawal further added that “the coloured gemstone exports today stands at around US$ 420 Million. India’s Gem & Jewellery Industry together employs 5 million people today. GJEPC is constantly working towards aligning with Hon’ble PM’s vision and dream of creating employment in the sector. Council is striving to set up Common facility centres and Jewellery Parks across India under guidance of India’s Commerce Minister Mr. Suresh Prabhu, which willgive major boost to the employment in the sector going forward. A 43billion export Industry, Gems & Jewellery Sector of India contributes 7% to India’s GDP and 15% to country merchandise exports.We are in talks with the Indian Government and the State Government supporting us in setting up a Gem Bourse in Jaipur which would help the coloured gemstones industry to play a bigger role in the global market and also help generate thousands of jobs in the sector.”
The 3-day event offers opportunities to the international guest buyers from countries as diverse and different as Algeria, Armenia, China, Egypt, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon,Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Taiwan, UAE, UK, Uzbekistan geared to make them understand the gemstone business supply chain, existing business practices and the prevailing industry culture in India. One USP of the event was the one-on-one meetings, between the buyers and sellers within an interactive format so as to make the one understand and cater to the needs of the other. The event would be capped by an open exhibition on the third day, April 17. The 3-day event will set to showcase India’s leading position in the arena of cut-and-polished gemstones both in the precious and semi-precious categories.
The coloured gemstone industry in India is considered to be one of the finest cutting centre for all gemstones . Jaipur processes more than 300 different varieties of precious and semi-precious gemstones.With gemstones exports standing at US$ 420 Million in Financial year 2016-17, this sector employs workforce of over 2 Lakhs in Jaipur and surrounding regions.
