News
IGJS Jaipur 2025 bolsters global connections amidst mounting trade challenges
Against a backdrop of mounting trade challenges, India’s gem and jewellery exporters gathered in Jaipur for the International Gem & Jewellery Show (IGJS) 2025, an exclusive export-focused event organized by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). Held from April 3 to 5, the show drew 50 of India’s leading exporters and more than 180 international buyers from 28 countries, reinforcing Jaipur’s status as a pivotal hub in the global jewellery trade.
The show, hosted at the Novotel Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre, spotlighted the city’s long-standing reputation for integrated craftsmanship — where stone-cutting and jewellery manufacturing coexist within the same business ecosystem. For many international buyers, this “one-stop-shop” model remains a key draw.
Still, the atmosphere wasn’t without tension. The recent imposition of U.S. tariffs — ranging between 26% and 27% on Indian jewellery exports — loomed large over business discussions. Exporters expressed concern over the long-term implications for price-sensitive markets like the United States, which has traditionally been a top destination for Indian jewellery.
“Tariffs were the biggest talking point on the floor,” said one Jaipur-based exporter. “We’re now discussing cost-sharing models with our U.S. partners, looking to absorb the blow across the supply chain — from exporters to retailers to end consumers.”
Repeat buyers remained a bright spot, with several exhibitors reporting continued interest and steady orders from long-standing clients. But many acknowledged a pressing need to attract larger retail chain buyers, particularly as global trade routes shift.
In response to the evolving trade landscape, exporters are eyeing alternative markets such as Dubai and Saudi Arabia, regions with strong demand and more favorable trade terms. Industry stakeholders also pointed to the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) as a promising channel for diversifying export destinations.
Despite challenges, the sentiment remained broadly optimistic. The GJEPC announced plans to significantly scale the show in 2026, targeting over 500 global buyers and more than 150 exhibitors, a move intended to elevate the show’s global standing and deepen its influence in the international marketplace.
At its core, IGJS Jaipur 2025 underscored themes of resilience, adaptability, and strategic collaboration — with industry players focused on navigating shifting trade dynamics while continuing to showcase the strength of Indian craftsmanship.
National News
Malabar Group Signs Letter Of Intent With The West Bengal Government To Strengthen CSR Partnerships and Advance Inclusive Development
Rs 20 Crore CSR Commitment For West Bengal In FY 2026–27 To Expand Education, Healthcare, Nutrition, Water Security and Artisan Welfare Initiatives.
·Strengthens government-corporate collaboration to drive inclusive development across West Bengal
·Supports 11,873 children through 297 Micro Learning Centres across the state
·Provides nutritious meals daily to 1,200 beneficiaries and has completed 629 drinking water wells
·Expands support for healthcare, elderly care, and artisan communities across West Bengal
Malabar Group, a leading diversified business conglomerate and the parent company of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Government of West Bengal to strengthen CSR partnerships and expand the impact of its social initiatives across the state. The LOI was exchanged with Finance Minister Dr. Swapan Dasgupta by Thahsil Ahammed, Regional Head (East India), Malabar Gold & Diamonds, along with Sajid N K, Manufacturing Head, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, and Shabeer P K, Senior Manager, CSR. The collaboration marks an important step towards enhancing government-corporate convergence and promoting inclusive and sustainable development through focused interventions addressing community needs.
The engagement is aligned with West Bengal Government’s efforts to establish a more coordinated and outcome-oriented framework for CSR partnerships. The state has also instituted an integrated CSR framework through the Finance Department, State CSR Council, West Bengal CSR Portal and CSR Projects Facilitation Unit to facilitate partnerships between the government, corporates, and philanthropic organisations, while aligning CSR investments with identified development priorities. As a part of its continued contribution towards the social development in the state, Malabar Group has earmarked a total CSR commitment of Rs 20 crore for FY 2026–27.
Malabar Group has been implementing a range of community-focused initiatives in West Bengal through the Malabar Charitable Trust (MCT) and its implementing partner, Daya Rehabilitation Trust (Thanal). These initiatives encompass education, nutrition, healthcare, water security, elderly care, housing, and artisan welfare, with a focus on creating sustainable impact among underprivileged communities.
Under its education initiatives, Malabar Group currently supports 297 Micro Learning Centres, benefiting 11,873 children from underserved communities across West Bengal. The Group has also provided scholarships to 500 girls to support their education. In addition, the Ujjwala Scholarship initiative supports 500 students from the Karigar community in West Bengal, contributing to greater access to education for children from artisan families.
Nutrition remains another important area of intervention. Malabar Group provides nutritious meals daily to 1,200 beneficiaries across the state. The initiative aims to ensure regular access to nutrition among vulnerable communities. Its outreach efforts include daily street medical services that reach around 60 beneficiaries, extending basic healthcare support to underserved sections of society.
Moreover, the Group has completed 629 drinking water wells against a target of 800, helping communities improve access to safe drinking water. Furthermore, the Group has expanded its social welfare initiatives to elderly care and housing. A Grandma Home for 60 elderly women has been proposed in West Bengal to provide accommodation, care, and support to elderly women in need. Through its Samman Awas housing initiative for artisans, Malabar Group has committed to provide 140 houses, including 80 in West Bengal, with the aim of improving living conditions for artisan communities.
Commenting on the initiative, MP Ahammed, Chairman of Malabar Group, said:

“At Malabar Group, CSR is an integral part of our culture, and we believe in creating meaningful and sustainable social impact. Our collaboration with the Government of West Bengal marks an important step in enhancing this approach and strengthening the alignment between corporate social responsibility and the development priorities of the state.
Through our continued engagement with communities, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that enhance access to education, healthcare, nutrition, livelihoods, and essential social infrastructure. We look forward to building on this partnership and contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable future for communities across West Bengal.”
The Letter of Intent further strengthens Malabar Group’s ongoing engagement with communities across West Bengal and provides an opportunity to deepen existing interventions while exploring areas for greater collaboration. West Bengal Government’s CSR framework is designed to connect corporate intent with development priorities at the state and district levels, and facilitate partnerships that can improve quality, alignment, and scalability of CSR interventions.
Malabar Gold & Diamonds has allocated Rs 200 crore towards CSR initiatives for FY 2026–27, with a focus on driving meaningful social needs.
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