Piyush Goyal opens 16th edition of IIJS Signature

The show accommodates 1,500+ exhibitors occupying 3,000+ stalls  

Union Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the New Year’s first and largest-ever India International Jewellery Trade Show-IIJS Signature; Gem & Jewellery Trade, organised by the country’s apex trade body, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).  

The 16th edition of GJEPC's IIJS Signature will witness 30,000+ visitors (including international buyers) from 800 Indian cities and 60 countries. The show boasts of 1,500+ exhibitors occupying 3,000+ stalls across a sprawling 1.25 lakh sq. mt. of exhibition area.  

For the first time ever, the New Year’s first top-of-the-line design centric jewellery trade show along with the India Gem & Jewellery Machinery Expo (IGJME) is being held at two venues in Mumbai: JIO World Convention Centre, BKC (4-7 January) & Bombay Exhibition Centre, NESCO, Goregaon (5-8 January). This expansion aims to offer exhibitors and visitors more space, fostering a relaxed environment conducive to productive business interactions. 

Gracing the momentous occasion along with Chief Guest Piyush Goyal were Joy Alukkas (Chairperson, Joyalukkas); Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC; Kirit Bhansali (Vice Chairman, GJEPC); Rajesh Kumar Mishra, IRS Zonal Development Commissioner, SEEPZ-SEZ; Anoop Mehta, President, GJEPC; Nirav Bhansali (Convener, National Exhibitions, GJEPC); Sabyasachi Ray (ED, GJEPC), along with others.  

Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution & Textiles, Govt. of India, said, Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance India can become the global epicentre of the gem & jewellery industry with a holistic ecosystem encompassing all diverse constituents and elements.  

Massive investments are being made to create a world-class infrastructure including the 20-acre India Jewellery Park in Navi Mumbai and a common facility centre in SEEPZ Mumbai with most modern machinery and equipment. The infrastructure impetus can empower MSMEs in the gem & jewellery industry to build global competitiveness and expand their business in a very modern and efficient environment.  

After the success in Dubai post the India-UAE CEPA, we are planning to open a new India Exposition Centere in Hong Kong to gradually spread our wings to capture world markets across borders. Jewellery design should become our next big export. Our young, talented and skilled workforce and help us merge fashion and jewellery into an unbeatable & desirable combination.  

The emphasis has to be on making India the design destination of the world for fashion and jewellery. The fashion+jewellery combination can make India a coveted and preferred wedding destination for the world. The Surat Diamond Bourse has already become a benchmark globally and this competitive spirit that will take Indian industry to greater heights.  

India has the potential to become the world’s largest gem jeweller, proficient lab grown diamond maker, impeccable design centre and technologically advanced machinery manufacturer all under one platform. It’s time we embark on the journey to realise our true potential and show our prowess to the world.”