The India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) announced their joint collaboration to organize the First India Gem & Jewellery Fair (IGJF) at a glittering ceremony attended by Smt. Rita Menon, CMD, ITPO, Shri. Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC, Bollywood Diva & GJEPC Brand Ambassador, Ms. Sonam Kapoor as well as eminent members of the ITPO and GJEPC and other officials and dignitaries. The event which was held at the Ballroom at Shangri-La’s Eros Hotel on February 12, 2013 to unveil the logo and concept of the exhibition was superbly choreographed occasion reflecting the bespoke glitz and glamour that is associated with the jewellery industry.

The India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) has over the years been actively promoting various industry segments, bringing the trade and the consumer closer through its exhibitions that are held across the country as well as showcasing Indian products and craft at international exhibitions. In its bid to provide an added boost to the gem and jewellery industry, the ITPO signed an MOU with the GJEPC to launch the first India Gems & Jewellery Fair (IGJF)from April 6-9th, 2013 at the Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The fair which is targeted directly at the consumers of especially New Delhi and the northern region is also the GJEPC’s first foray into the Business to Consumer exhibitions after having successfully organized various Business to Business exhibitions in India and at international platforms. The ITPO and GJEPC have agreed to host the exhibition for the next 3 years with plans to take the exhibition to an international platform in the years ahead.

“The India Gems & Jewellery Fair will be GJEPC’s premier endeavor to organize a business to consumer event”, said Mr. Vipul Shah, Chairman, Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council. “Our main aim to collaborate with ITPO for the IGJF is to reach out to the consumer directly and allow them to view the extensive range of jewellery from across the country, while providing the Indian gem and jewellery industry the much needed impetus as they continue to face challenges with increasing prices of precious metals that have been prohibitive to businesses’ growth in recent times.”

“India has traditionally been a huge market for jewellery having the world’s highest consumption for gold and jewellery products. Given the diverseness of the Indian culture, which has historically had huge influences on our jewellery designs, the IGJF was conceived as the ideal platform by which we hope to introduce the Indian consumer the gamut of jewellery crafts and extensive design and manufacturing capabilities that the industry has; allowing them to produce jewellery that is of not only very high quality and exquisite in design but also affordable” said Rita Menon, CMD, ITPO.

GJEPC also announced that its signature event, the Indian International Jewellery Week 2013, will for the first time be held in New Delhi from April 4th to 5th 2013. After receiving a phenomenal response in Mumbai over the last 3 years GJEPC was keen to extend the show tothe capital city of New Delhi. The objective of taking the show to New Delhi was to provide the jewellery designers and manufacturers of northern India, with their very own, exclusive platform to showcase their design and manufacturing prowess.

Speaking at the event, Bollywood Diva and GJEPC Brand Ambassador, Ms. Sonam Kapoor said, “it indeed is a very exciting moment as we bring to the capital city not one but 2 events that I am sure will also be immensely successful. Having been a part of IIJW for 3 years now and having received all the adulation at the fashion week in Mumbai, I now look forward to designers and the audience of this city embrace this event which will only enhance its prestige. I would also like to extend an invitation to all the people of New Delhi to be at the IGJF as I believe that perhaps no other such event would present such a wide jewellery collection from across the country; especially as the event is a representation of 2 powerful trade organizations collaborating their resources to present a concept such as the IGJF”.

Mr. Shah concluded, “The council has always been pursuing greater foreign and domestic participation in order to promote new concepts and innovative designs in the industry and by extending shows such asIIJW to different regions, we hope to provide designers of those regions with a platform that is more easily accessible to them as well as showcase the hidden gems of these regions. We hope to continue our efforts to highlight the best that India has to offer and look forward to harnessing talent from across the country in the years ahead”.

The IGJF promises to be one of the largest jewellery fairs in the country and aims to present the consumer with a large array of jewellery from across the country. The exhibition will include 150-200 leading retailers and jewellery brands who will offer an entire range of jewellery; be it plain, studded with diamonds and precious and semi-precious stones in precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum and more. The exhibition will showcase a variety of styles and trends and will include exclusive and exquisite designer or couture jewellery, high-end jewellery, bridal wear as well as a mix of traditional, vintage, contemporary, classic styles and much more.