GJEPC, in association with the Ahilyanagar Gold Jewellers Council and Gold Cluster, organised an IIJS Retailers’ Connect and Export Awareness Seminar in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, on 29 September 2026.

The programme aimed to strengthen the region’s participation in international trade under the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative. Ahilyanagar has a long-standing base of skilled karigars and traditional jewellery manufacturing and was among the early regions in Maharashtra to be formally developed as an MSME Gold Jewellery Cluster under the DEH and Micro & Small Enterprises – Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP).

During the IIJS Retailers’ Connect session, Naheed Sunke, Assistant Director, GJEPC, introduced IIJS Signature 2027 as a major B2B sourcing platform for jewellery designs, technology and business networking. She encouraged jewellers from Ahilyanagar to participate through an official delegation.

The export awareness session was led by Mithilesh Pandey, Senior Director, GJEPC, who outlined export opportunities available to local manufacturers and retailers, along with government schemes and policy mechanisms that can support their entry into international markets.

The session covered export benefits available under the DEH initiative and preferential trade opportunities through India’s free trade agreements, including the UAE CEPA, India-Australia ECTA and India-EFTA TEPA. Participants were also briefed on simplified procedures for courier-based e-commerce exports, collateral-free loans under PM Vishwakarma, and grants available for Common Facility Centres (CFCs).

GJEPC also highlighted its support ecosystem for businesses seeking to expand internationally. This included the benefits of Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC), exporter mentorship programmes such as Niryat Disha and Niryat Protsahan, international showcasing opportunities through IJEX Dubai, access to the India Jewellery Park Mumbai (IJPM) ecosystem, and Parichay Cards for artisans.