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12th edition of IIJS Signature inaugurated by Dr Subodh Agarwal, Addl. Chief Secretary, Industry Dep
12th Edition of IIJS Signature Inauguration
The 12th edition of Signature IIJS (India International Jewellery Show) was inaugurated in Mumbai this morning by Guest of Honour Dr Subodh Agarwal, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries, Government of Rajasthan. The inaugural ceremony was attended by representatives of foreign delegations attending the show and leading jewellers from across India.
Signature-IIJS 2019 is being held along with the India Gem and Jewellery Machinery Expo (IGJME) from February 10 to 13, 2019. This year’s edition is the largest ever, with over 700 exhibitors spread over 1,350 booths. It will play host to 10 foreign delegations from countries such as US, UK, UAE, Russia and is expected to attract over 18,000 visitors from across the country.
Welcoming the guests, GJEPC Chairman Shri Pramod Kumar Agrawal said that the industry had undertaken a number of new initiatives with the backing of the government and was poised to overcome some of the problems it had faced over the last year. The IIJS-Signature provided a glimpse of the strengths and capabilities of the Indian jewellery industry, Agrawal said, with exhibitors from every segment across the jewellery spectrum participating in the show. “We have been global leaders in the diamond industry for many years, and our focus now is on becoming the leading jewellery manufacturer of the world as well,” he said.
The GJEPC, in association with the Ministry of Commerce has already taken a number of steps to modernise and broaden India’s jewellery manufacturing base such as the opening of CFCs in new locations and the expansion of training infrastructure,among others. Plans had also been drawn up and work has started on other initiatives such as the Cluster Mapping project, awareness programmes among MSME companies and the setting up of a Jewellery Park in Mumbai,to name a few, which together would provide a boost to the industry over the next few years. “We are targeting the creation of nearly 3 million new jobs and aiming to take our export turnover to US$ 75 billion over the next 4-5 years,” Agrawal said.
In a video message to the function, Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce &Industries, who was scheduled to be Chief Guest but could not attend due to urgent official work, said that the government has already taken an important step in strengthening India’s jewellery industry by setting up a Domestic Council for Gems and Jewellery. It was also in the process of finalising a comprehensive Gold Policy. Both these measures would surely provide a dramatic boost to the jewellery sector, he added.
Shri Prabhu said that events like the Signature IIJS played a significant role in showcasing India’s capabilities to the world, and extended his wishes to all the companies taking part.
In his address at the inauguration, Shri Subodh Agarwal said that the gem and jewellery industry played a very important role in the development of Rajasthan. Listing some of the advantages it offers, he said, “The industry generates a large number of jobs, it is not capital-intensive, it is a non-polluting industry and it is equitable, in that it can flourish even in backward areas.”
The state government is committed to helping the industry expand, he said and was assisting in the setting up of a Gem Bourse, the first of its kind in the world, in Jaipur at the earliest. Shri Agarwal said that the government was also planning initiatives to boost the MSME sector – including a new law that would exempt the sector from repeated inspection by government departments for some period of time. “Compliance with regulations would still be necessary,” he clarified, “but the onus will be on the company to ensure this so that they do not spend unnecessary time and resources on applications for permissions, clearances, and certification.”
On a different note, Shri Agarwal, an engineer himself, spoke about the importance of innovation is winning over consumers, and the role that technology could play in this process. He said that jewellers could win consumers’ hearts by ensuring that each piece was a unique, one of a kind creation.Existing, as well as emerging technologies, like Artificial Intelligence, for example, would open many avenues for such innovation, Shri Agarwal added, saying he was pleased to see that the industry was already using 3D printing and other contemporary technologies.
Shri Shailesh Sangani, Convener, National Exhibitions, GJEPC gave the concluding Vote of Thanks.
Courtesy – GJEPC
The South Jewellery Show (SJS) 2025, South India’s premier B2B exhibition dedicated to the gems and jewellery industry, was successfully held at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), Bengaluru. The event brought together key players from across the jewellery value chain, providing a vibrant platform for trade, networking, and business growth.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the start of the event, was graced by several esteemed Guests of Honour, including Dr. T. A. Sharavana, Member of the Karnataka Legislative Council; Sharath Sakala of Pratibha Jewellery House; Pratap Kamath, Managing Director of Abaran Timeless Jewellery Pvt. Ltd.; Khushboo Ranawat, Director of SwarnShilp Chains and Jewellers Pvt. Ltd.; Manisha Gupta, Group Commodities Editor, CNBC TV18; O.V. Diwakar, Joint Secretary, KJF; Suresh Kumar Ganna, Director, JAB; Sumesh Wadhera, Managing Director, AOJ Media; Dr. Chetan Kumar Mehta, President of JAB and Jewellery Division – IBJA, and CMD of Laxmi Diamonds, Bengaluru; and Sreekanth Urs, CEO of GES India Inc., along with other notable figures from the gems and jewellery industry.
During the opening ceremony, Dr. T. A. Sharavana commended the organisers for their efforts and the impact of the show, stating, “The South Jewellery Show continues to reflect the strength and vision of the region’s jewellery industry. I commend the dedication of the SJS team and wish them great success for this edition.”
SJS 2025 served as a valuable platform for showcasing new designs, facilitating business partnerships, and highlighting innovation within the industry. The event concluded on a high note, reinforcing Bengaluru’s position as a key hub for the jewellery trade in South India.
The Kerala Jewellery International Fair (KJIF) 2025, the state’s largest B2B jewellery exhibition, was inaugurated with grandeur at the ADLUX Exhibition Centre, Kochi. The event opened with a celebratory spirit, drawing top leaders from the gem and jewellery industry and over 150 of Kerala’s leading retailers.
Chief Guest Kirit Bhansali, Chairman of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), led the inauguration, joined by an impressive line-up of Guests of Honour including Avinash Gupta (Vice Chairman, GJC), Ankesh Jain (World Gold Council), Mansukh Kothari (GJEPC), Sabarinath B (Tamil Nadu Jewellers Association), Santha Kumar S (MJDTA), AK Sabu (JMA), Shaju Chirayath (KGSDA), Muthu Venkatraman (Coimbatore Jewellers Association), Balasubramanian (Madurai Jewellers Association), Ashok Kumar Jain (GJC), Vijay Kumar K and Shantilal Jain (AP Bullion Merchants), Mujeeb Rahman (Tajvi Gold, UAE), Noushad S (Rajakumari Gold), Shafeek (Arabian Gold & Diamonds), Sibi (JEXTA), K. Surendran (President – KGSMA), Adv. Abdul Nazar (Gen. Sec – KGSMA), and VK Manoj (Projects Director – United Exhibitions), among others.
Speaking at the inauguration, Kirit Bhansali praised Kerala’s leadership in the jewellery retail sector and its growing global presence.
“It is great to be in Kerala, at KJIF. This is the state whose corporate retailers have created massive retail presence in India and across the globe. This growth is not just a sign of business success, but a symbol of Kerala’s design legacy and consumer focus. Also, Kerala’s jewellery story is not just about scale, but a deep sense of social responsibility,” Kirit Bhansali said.
As part of the event, KJIF 2025 also hosted the Knowledge Hub session, addressing critical operational issues faced by jewellers, including BIS compliance, GST, Legal Metrology, and police recovery processes. The session brought together a panel of key officials and experts: Sandeep S Kumar (BIS – Legal & Enforcement), B. Pramod (GST Commissioner, Kochi), Rajesh Sam (Joint Controller – Central Zone, Legal Metrology Department, Kochi), and Adv. Nemom Chandrababu. The panel was moderated by Chartered Accountant Jamsheed Adam.
The session aimed to provide clarity and practical guidance to jewellers on day-to-day regulatory challenges, making it an important platform for industry knowledge-sharing and dialogue.
Dr. Chetan Kumar Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director of Laxmi Diamonds, Bengaluru, was honoured with the prestigious ‘Star of Karnataka’ Award. The award was presented by the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, D.K. Shivakumar, in recognition of Dr. Mehta’s significant contributions to the jewellery industry and the state’s economic development.
The award ceremony was organised by News First Kannada, a prominent news channel in Karnataka, and was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Bangalore. The event saw the participation of several notable personalities from various sectors, celebrating excellence across the state.
Dr. Mehta has played a key role in positioning Bengaluru as a centre for fine diamond jewellery through his leadership at Laxmi Diamonds. The brand is widely recognised for its craftsmanship, innovation, and commitment to quality. Under his guidance, the company has expanded its footprint both nationally and internationally.
Apart from his business achievements, Dr. Mehta has also been involved in philanthropic efforts, contributing to several social initiatives in Karnataka. In his acceptance speech, he expressed gratitude to the organisers and dedicated the award to his team and supporters. The evening concluded with cultural performances and networking among industry leaders, marking a memorable celebration of Karnataka’s inspiring achievers.
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