National News
GJEPC announces Kirit Bhansali as Chairman, Shaunak Parikh as Vice Chairman and new Committee of Administration
Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), the country’s apex nodal trade body, announced the appointment of Kirit Bhansali as Chairman; Shaunak Parikh as Vice Chairman and announced the constitution of new Committee of Administration (COA) after the completion of the COA Election 2024.
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “Our vision is to drive transformative growth for India’s gem and jewellery industry through strategic initiatives, innovative projects, and collaborative efforts. From advancing flagship projects like the India Jewellery Park in Mumbai and the Gem Bourse in Jaipur to expanding our global footprint with initiatives like Saudijex in Saudi Arabia and IJEX Dubai, we aim to position India as a global leader in technology, design, and manufacturing. Together, we will strive to achieve the ambitious export target of USD 100 billion by 2047, aligning with our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat.”
Bhansali further added, “We aim to sustain India’s global leadership, capitalize on domestic market potential, and advocate for favorable policies while continuing to support our artisans. To boost exports from the sector and support India’s economic growth, GJEPC has identified 17 key clusters based on their size, potential, and strategic location. By nurturing these clusters, we aim to develop them into thriving export hubs.”
Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, said, “I sincerely thank all the industry members for entrusting me with this responsibility and giving me the opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of our remarkable gem and jewellery sector. This is a crucial time for the industry, and the challenges before us demand bold vision and decisive action. It is imperative to focus on category promotion across all verticals, infrastructure development, skill enhancement, and adopting global standards to ensure our industry remains competitive on the world stage. The Council will continue to collaborate closely with the government to shape policies that not only drive growth but also address the pressing concerns of our exporters in an ever-evolving global market.”
List of CoA Member(s) 2024
| Sr. No | Name of the Directors | Designation |
| 1 | Kirit Bhansali | Chairperson |
| 2 | Shaunak Parikh | Vice-Chairperson |
| 3 | Smt. Khushboo Ranawat | Regional Chairperson – Western Region |
| 4 | Pankaj Parekh | Regional Chairperson – Eastern Region |
| 5 | Antar Pal Singh | Regional Chairperson – Northern Region |
| 6 | Jayantibhai N. Savaliya | Regional Chairperson – Gujarat Region |
| 7 | Mahendra Kumar Tayal | Regional Chairperson – Southern Region |
| 8 | Ajesh Mehta | CoA Member |
| 9 | Nirav Bhansali | CoA Member |
| 10 | Nilesh Kothari | CoA Member |
| 11 | Anil Virani | CoA Member |
| 12 | Pankaj Shah | CoA Member |
| 13 | Anil Sankhwal | CoA Member |
| 14 | Smit Patel | CoA Member |
| 15 | Krishna Behari Goyal | CoA Member |
| 16 | Manish Jiwani | CoA Member |
| 17 | Anoop Mehta | CoA Member |
| 18 | Ashish Borda | CoA Member |
| 19 | Dwarka Prasad Khandelwal | CoA Member |
| 20 | K. Srinivasan | CoA Member |
| 21 | Mansukhlal Kothari | CoA Member |
| Govt. Nominee | ||
| 1 | Shri Siddharth Mahajan – Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India | Govt. Nominee Director |
Profiles of Chairman and Vice Chairman
Kirit A. Bhansali, Chairman, GJPEC
Kirit A. Bhansali, is a well-known personality in the Indian diamond and jewellery industry. He is a partner in Smital Gems, a leading diamond manufacturing company based in Mumbai. With his extensive experience in the field, he has played a significant role in promoting and developing the Indian gem and jewellery industry. He is the Chairman of India Jewellery Park Mumbai (IJPM) and is a Committee Member of the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB). In the past he has also served as the chairman of the Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery (IIGJ). Apart from his business activities, Bhansali is actively involved in various socio-political and educational initiatives. Through his leadership and vision, Bhansali has contributed significantly to the growth and development of the Indian diamond and jewellery industry.
Shaunak Jitendra Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC
Shaunak Jitendra Parikh is 3rd generation entrepreneur and is one of the Directors of Mahendra Brothers Group of Companies who are into business of the manufacturing and marketing of diamonds and diamond jewellery. Parikh holds a degree of Bachelors of Commerce from University of Mumbai and has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. After successfully establishing manufacturing and marketing of diamond jewellery for over a decade, Parikh took charge of Group’s finances about 15 years back. He simultaneously completed an executive diploma in corporate finance from London Business School. A people’s man, and with a flair for creativity, he plays a vital role in running company’s overall business, group strategic planning & decision making, managing group finances and new business opportunities. Shaunak Parikh has previously held several key positions in GJEPC, including serving as the Convener of the Banking, Insurance, and Taxation Committee, as well as the Convener of International Exhibitions.
National News
AIJGF Proposes Regulated “Bullion Bank”, Proposal Presented Directly To Union Commerce and Industry Minister
Establishes A Centralized Financial Framework To Pool, Standardise, Settle, and Lease Domestic Gold
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is officially reviewing a landmark proposal to establish a regulated “Bullion Bank” aimed at transforming India’s massive domestic gold reserves into an active economic asset.
The proposal was presented directly to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal by a delegation from the All India Jewellers and Goldsmith Federation (AIJGF). In response, Minister Goyal has agreed to form a comprehensive consultation committee—comprising government representatives, jewellery industry stakeholders, bullion market experts, financial institutions, and market regulators—to thoroughly examine the framework.
Key Highlights of the Proposal:
- Activating Idle Wealth: Establishes a centralised financial framework to pool, standardise, settle, and lease domestic gold, significantly reducing India’s heavy reliance on expensive foreign imports.
- Tapping a $4 Trillion Market: Aims to mobilse the estimated 25,000 to 27,000 tonnes of gold held by Indian households, temples, and private institutions—a stockpile currently valued between $3.65 trillion and $4.3 trillion.
- Earning Interest on Gold: Transforms physical gold from a passive, non-yielding asset into an active, interest-earning investment, eliminating traditional locker storage fees for citizens.
- ETF Integration: Proposes allowing Gold Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) to lend 20–30% of their idle physical holdings back into the jewellery ecosystem under strict over-collateralised, insured, and daily marked-to-market safety protocols.
A Strategic Move for Economic Resilience
Currently, the vast majority of India’s gold wealth remains locked away and unproductive. By acting as a trusted intermediary, the proposed Bullion Bank will allow households and institutions to securely lend their gold back into the domestic jewellery ecosystem.
“This framework has the potential to permanently change how India manages its gold,” stated the AIJGF in their proposal. “By unlocking domestic reserves, we can stabilise the market, support local artisans, and strengthen the national economy.”
To ensure seamless execution and regulatory oversight, the AIJGF has also requested the creation of a dedicated inter-ministerial task force. This body would bring together the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to oversee the initiative’s roll-out.
-
BrandBuzz2 weeks agoJoyalukkas Pride Partnerships Recognition & Innovation In Design Excellence 2026 Held In Kochi
-
BrandBuzz2 weeks agoPNGS Gargi Fashion Jewellery Ltd. Delivers Landmark FY26 Performance
-
New Premises1 week agoGJC Inaugurates New Office; Gems & Jewellery Industry Reaffirms Support To Government’s Economic Measures and Presents Structured Roadmap For Revitalised Gold Monetisation Scheme
-
BrandBuzz15 hours agoTribe Amrapali, Official Jewellery Partner For Ramayana, Used Real Gold Jewellery In Epic Film

