International News
The 2nd SEZ Gem and Jewellery Conclave
Conclave provided valuable insights in technology, branding, exports, SEZ policy
The Second SEZ Gem and Jewellery Conclave held at Bharatratnam Mega CFC in SEEPZ, Mumbai, brought together influential stakeholders from across the gem and jewellery sector to deliberate on industry growth, innovation, and policy advancements.The conclave provided valuable insights into the latest industry trends in technology, branding, exports.
The conclave was inaugurated by Dr P Anbalagan, IAS, Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Government of Maharashtra. Present at the inauguration were Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, Saunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, Suvankar Sen, MD, Senco Gold & Diamonds, Sabyasachi Ray, ED, GJEPC, Colin Shah, Head of the Working Group, Bharat Ratnam Mega CFC and Adil Kotwal, Director – SEEPZ GJ Manufacturers Association.

Dr. P Anbalagan in his inaugural address said “The Union and state governments aim to grow India’s economy from USD 3 trillion to USD 30 trillion, requiring double-digit growth across sectors, with Maharashtra as a key driver. As the state with the highest FDI, Maharashtra targets a USD 1 trillion economy in 4-5 years, needing 13-14% annual growth. We are looking at the GJ sector as generator of employment and employment.The employment intensive GJ sector will be cornerstone of Maharashtra becoming a $1 trillion economy.The GJ sector in Maharashtra is contributing 47 per cent of India’s GJ exports.”
Track 1 – Technology included: Platinum Group Metal Recycling , Dr Debashish Bhattacharya, Technical Director of Covalence, India, Casting, Stamping and Tubing in Platinum, Dr. Peter Hofmann, Chairman of INDUTHERM, Germany and Rakesh Jangid, Technical Director, Lagor India, 3D Printing of Precious Metal for Commercial Use-Dr Andrea Friso, R&D Head, Legor Italy ,Technology in Diamond Testing, Jayant Kulkarni , Partner ,SGL, Challenges in Identification of Lab Grown Diamonds by Deepa Srinivasa, Chief Gemmologist – Research & Development – GSI, India
Track 2 – Branding included: Redefining Businesses by Sachin Jain, Educator, LÉCOLE School of Jewellery Arts , Dubai, Revitalizing Diamond Desire by Amit Pratihari, Managing Director, De Beers.
Track 3 – Investments included: Booster to G&J Manufacturing by Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC ,Draft Report of Common SoP for SEZs by Nishant, Partner, ELP.
With key decision-makers in attendance, the conclave promises to be an influential platform for shaping the future of the sector.
International News
Chow Tai Fook Cashes In On Hong Kong’s Tourism Comeback
As Travelers Return and Gold Prices Wobble, The Jewelry Giant Proves A 52% Profit Jump Is Anyone’s Best Accessory
Hong Kong jewelry giant Chow Tai Fook just wrapped up its fiscal year with fantastic numbers -group revenue climbed 5% to HKD 94.4 billion (about $12.05 billion), while profit didn’t just grow, it basically exploded — up 52% to a record HKD 9.08 billion ($1.15 billion).
So what’s behind the glow-up? Two words: tourists and trust. As travelers flooded back into Hong Kong and Macau, same-store sales there jumped a staggering 17%. Mainland China wasn’t far behind, posting 7% growth even as the company admitted things got a little shaky in the final quarter thanks to gold prices doing their usual rollercoaster routine.
Chow Tai Fook didn’t just get lucky — they’ve been quietly reinventing themselves. Think less “grandma’s jewelry counter,” more curated boutique energy: trading out older locations for spots in upscale malls and leaning hard into branded collections instead of generic gold-by-the-gram sales.
Fixed-price jewelry (the stuff with a set price tag, not market-rate gold) shot up 16%, with the diamond-studded Hua Collection emerging as one of the year’s breakout hits. Gold jewelry sales overall: up a modest 3%.Store count: 5,540 in mainland China, 96 across Hong Kong and Macau
In its own words, the company chalked up the rebound to brand transformation efforts paying off even amid a softer mainland market. At the same time, the tourism recovery did some heavy lifting for Hong Kong and Macau sales. Chow Tai Fook believes fiscal 2027 will be much stronger, with “significantly fewer” store closures, as demand stabilizes.
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