The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) organised the 49th edition of the India Gem & Jewellery Awards (IGJA) in Mumbai, which was powered by GIA and co-partnered by ECGC. The event saw the felicitation of 27 top Gem & Jewellery exporters by Hon’ble Chief Guest Shri Piyush Goyal, the Hon’ble Minister for Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution & Textiles, Government of India. The special guest of honour was Mr. Frank Geerkens, Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai. Shri Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJPEC; Shri Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Shri Nilesh Kothari, Co-Convener, PMBD, GJEPC; and Mr. Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJPEC, among others, were also present.
During the award ceremony, Shri Piyush Goyal emphasised the importance of time and the need to grasp the opportunity that the moment presents. He encouraged the stakeholders of the gem and jewellery industry to embrace technology, innovation, modernity, and entrepreneurship to unleash the true potential of the sector. He also commended the resilience and hard work of the industry stakeholders who have achieved a remarkable feat of generating USD 770 billion in exports during the most challenging times.
The Minister further added that the government has taken several initiatives to support the growth of the sector, and with the entrepreneurial spirit of the industry stakeholders, the sector will continue to grow and expand. He set an ambitious target of reaching USD 2 trillion in exports within the next few years.
- Advertisement -
The gem and jewellery industry has a rich heritage of design and craftsmanship, which it can leverage to propel itself to new heights in the global market. The sector should focus on innovation, new ideas, and new ways of budgeting products and brands, designing new products using technology, and leveraging lab-grown diamonds, among other things.
During the event, Shri Piyush Goyal also spoke about the Mega Common Facility Centre at SEEPZ Mumbai for MSME gem & jewellery exporters, which will be ready by September 2023. The centre will provide state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities for MSMEs to design, manufacture, and export gems and jewellery products.
The gem and jewellery industry is one of the leading foreign exchange earners for India, contributing significantly to the country’s economy. The industry employs over 5 million people and has over 300,000 exporters. It has a strong presence in both the domestic and international markets and caters to a wide range of customers with varied tastes and preferences.
The India Gem & Jewellery Awards is an annual event that recognises the contribution of the industry’s top performers. The awards ceremony provides a platform for stakeholders to come together, share their experiences, and discuss the challenges and opportunities in the industry. The event also serves as a catalyst for the growth and development of the industry by encouraging innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
The India Gem & Jewellery Awards 2023 was a successful event that recognised the contribution of the top exporters in the gem and jewellery industry. The event provided a platform for industry stakeholders to come together, discuss the challenges and opportunities in the sector and encouraged the industry to embrace technology, innovation, modernity, and entrepreneurship to unleash its true potential. With the government’s support and the industry’s entrepreneurial spirit, the sector is poised to continue growing and expanding, and achieving new heights in the global market.
