Hong Kong: India, the leading diamond manufacturer and one of the leading jewellery exporters in the world, has always made a scintillating presence at all international shows with innovative and unique offerings catering to specific markets. India Pavilion, organized by Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has an impressive presence at the 6th Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem and Pearl show held from 26th February to 2nd March 2019 at AsiaWorld-Expo and at the 35th Hong Kong International Jewellery Show from 28th Feb to 4th March, 2019 at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
India has been adapting and transforming its labor-intensive gem & jewellery industry at a quick pace. And this has been reflected in the quality and wide variety of products that one gets to see at India Pavilion at international shows. At Hong Kong Show, India Pavilion is spread over 1428 sq.mt with 158 booths with 98 exhibitors. This year India was able to bag a prime location in Hall 2 for loose diamonds close to the entrance of the Hall. Manufacturers & retailers will be exhibiting a wide range of loose diamonds and gemstones at Hall no. 2, 7 and 11 of at Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem and Pearl Show.
Further India Pavilion at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre has been segmented into 3 sections i.e., Diamond Studded Jewellery & Mass Produced Jewellery, Gold Jewellery & Silver Jewellery. Hall 2 has a special India product gallery showcasing India’s capabilities in manufacturing world-class jewellery.
Mr. Pramod Kumar Agrawal, Chairman, GJEPC said, “Hong Kong is the leading export market for the Indian gems and jewellery. The overall gem & jewellery exports for 2018 accounted for US$ 39461.07 million. Out of which a staggering US $ 11433.10 million export were to Hong Kong; Cut and polished diamonds exports accounted for US$ 9825.27 million; Gold jewellery at US$ 775.69 million whereas coloured gemstones recorded exports worth US$ 215.28 million. The two shows, Hong Kong Diamond, Gem and Pearl Show and Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, have turned out to be a crucial platform to improve our relationship and reach out to new buyers in and around Asia. Every year we make sure to depict our capabilities and skills through the different array of products that cater to different markets.”
India has been upgrading and enhancing its skills by adapting state-of-the-art technologies and tools for jewellery manufacturing and today it caters to any jewellery requirement of the world market.
GJEPC the apex body of the Industry in India, has been putting all its efforts to propagate amongst trade the 17 sustainable development goals of United Nations and have been working towards achieving the same. GJEPC has initiated a Group Mediclaim scheme for the workers. It has been offering quality education in the field of gem and jewellery by setting up gem and jewellery institutes across the country.
GJEPC has set up Common Facility Centres where small units and MSMEs can get access to modern machines and tools at affordable prices. Availing these services would definitely enhance the production and quality of products. GJEPC has already set up 4 CFCs in Gujarat and has plans to set up CFCs at all major gem & jewellery clusters across India.
Additionally, the Council with the support of Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India, will be soon setting up a Jewellery Park in Mumbai. This dynamic venture will provide effective support to Jewellery manufacturers/traders who are interested to expand or invest in India to initiate new business or strengthen their existing business, benchmarking with the Jewellery Parks created in countries like China. Turkey, Thailand, etc. Jewellery park project is estimated to generate direct employment of around 1,00,000 workers.
The prime activity of GJEPC is to promote the Gem & Jewellery products in the International markets. Over the years, it has involved in organising a number of important trade shows held in the country like the India International Jewellery Show (IIJS), IIJS Signature, India Gem & Jewellery Machinery Expo (IGJME). The GJEPC also organises India Pavilions – participation of a number of companies under the GJEPC banner – at various leading international shows like JCK Las Vegas, Basel, and several others worldwide. Various product-specific Buyer-Seller Meets, sending and hosting trade delegations and sustained image building exercises through advertisements abroad, publications and audio-visuals are some of the other trade promotion activities undertaken by the Council.
The Indian industry has also been taking self-regulation measures. GJEPC launched ‘My KYC Bank’ portal for total transparency in operations. ‘My KYC Bank’ is a centralised KYC repository-cum-exchange platform for the gems and jewellery industry. So far the trade bodies that are part of the MyKYCBank include GJEPC, Bharat Diamond Bourse and the Antwerp World Diamond Council and DMCC.
The Indian G&J industry has been involved in large-scale philanthropic and charitable activities, particularly in the field of education and health. The industry has responded to national calamities and emergency situations with great promptness. GJEPC though “Jewellers for Hope” has made significant contribution towards causes of Girl Child Education, Sanitation, tribal education and cancer patients.
Apart from its constant effort to develop its gem and jewellery industry through infrastructure and skill development, the Indian industry has been following ethical business practices and complying to world business standards which has made India the ideal destination for sourcing quality gems and jewellery.
