The inaugural Saudi Arabia Jewellery Exposition (SAJEX) organised by GJEPC at the Jeddah Superdome marked more than just another trade show—it represented a watershed moment in India-Saudi relations and the birth of what promises to become a landmark event for the global gems and jewellery industry.

From 11th to 13th September 2025, over 100 exhibitors across 200 booths showcased the finest in jewellery craftsmanship, while more than 1,500 unique international trade buyers explored opportunities in a market set to nearly double to US$8.34 billion by 2030.

The timing couldn’t have been better. With India-Saudi total bilateral trade touching US$42 billion in FY 2024-25, and India’s gem and jewellery exports to the Kingdom rising 45% to US$151.5 million, SAJEX arrived as both a celebration of existing ties and a catalyst for future growth. The 55% jump to $129.31 million in studded gold jewellery exports alone signals the appetite Saudi consumers have for Indian craftsmanship.

Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, noted, “SAJEX represents a significant step towards deepening India-Saudi collaboration, creating new opportunities for trade, innovation, and industry leadership.” The success of this inaugural edition has laid the foundation for what promises to be a transformative partnership between two nations with complementary strengths and shared aspirations.

Her Royal Highness Princess Nourah Al-Faisal – Designer, Entrepreneur, and Industry Leader, noted, “I’m especially delighted to be with our partners from India, who have stood by me in business for over 30 years—we are truly fortunate to have you. It makes perfect sense to build an ecosystem closer to home that fosters creativity and collaboration. Our youth are incredibly talented, dedicated, and full of potential, but they need the right support—educational, industrial, and more—to unlock it. India’s deep expertise and experience in this industry make it the ideal partner to help us build that infrastructure. Together, we can create new opportunities, open pathways, and empower a new generation of designers to achieve their dreams.”

SAJEX 2025 highlighted the immense potential of the Saudi jewellery market, which spans mass to luxury segments, creating opportunities for Indian manufacturers across the spectrum. While high customs duties and VAT remain challenges, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms and structured government engagement are paving the way for smoother trade.

The exhibition underscored the role of technology in shaping retail, manufacturing, and consumer experiences, with younger Saudis seeking seamless online-to-offline integration. Joint manufacturing ventures emerged as a key opportunity, positioning Saudi Arabia as both a consumption hub and a future production base for the GCC and MENA regions.

Panel discussions, moderated by CNBC-TV18’s Manisha Gupta, reinforced synergies between Saudi’s natural resources and India’s expertise. Together, Vision 2030 and India@2047 point toward a collaborative future.

For Indian jewellers, the message was clear: act decisively now to capture a share of Saudi’s projected US$8–10 billion jewellery market by 2030.