Mumbai: The 32nd edition of India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) was inaugurated on Monday at Mumbai’s Bombay Convention Centre, by Chief Guest Mrs. Rita Teaotia, India’s Commerce Secretary, accompanied by the Guest of Honour Mr. Paul Rowley, Executive Vice President of De Beers (Global Sightholder sales), Chairman of India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) Mr. Vipul Shah and other dignitaries. The show will run from 6th to 10th August.
Welcoming the invitees, Mr. Vipul Shah said, “Today when the markets are not doing very well in India and the world, everybody is waiting with bated breath and positive that IIJS will turn around the wheels and bring back the cheer in the industry with bumper business. Last year IIJS contributed to orders getting booked by over Rs. 40 billion or USD 631 million to be precise. This year we are looking at least to increase this by 10%-20%. I wish best of business to all my colleagues from the industry. GJEPC has introduced over-hauling changes this year in IIJS to achieve about 25% growth in one of the Asia’s largest B2B trade shows.”
IIJS has been experiencing acute space constraint since last many years, as a result of which at least 400 aspiring exhibitors are being left out in waiting list every year. So the National Exhibition Sub Committee of the GJEPC has introduced drastic changes in the show’s lay-out plan to accommodate at least 175 new companies with 200 more booths this year to achieve a growth of 25%. This year the show which is scheduled at its regular venue of the Bombay Convention Centre, Mumbai between 6th & 10th August, 2015, has expanded to 1100+ exhibitors and 2000+ booths.
Mrs. Rita Teaotia said, “I am quite impressed with the progress made by IIJS during last three decades and hope the same growth rate would be maintained by the GJEPC. As far as issues of the industry are concerned, the government is committed to solve them along with the Special Notified Zone (SNZ) which is soon going to commence.”
Mr. Nirav Bhansali, Convener of the Sub Committee said, “One of the important features of the IIJS 2015 is a substantial 25% growth in exhibitors and 11% increase in booths. Keeping in mind the premier stature of the show, we are working towards getting leading national and international buyers. Moreover, the show hours have been extended by one hour in the evening this year which in return is expected to increase the flow of visitors by 10%.”
