NAJ attends inaugural BSM hosted by GJEPC

 

25 Indian Players joined the India–UK Gem & Jewellery BSM 

On 8th and 9th July, the hospitality area at Arsenal stadium in north London played host to an inaugural Buyer-Seller Meet (BSM), organised by India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). The BSM was inaugurated by Nidhi Mani Tripathi, Hon’ble Minister (Economic), High Commission of India, London, alongside Nilesh Kothari, Convener, International Exhibitions, GJEPC, and other dignitaries from both countries’ gem and jewellery sectors. 

A curated group of 25 Indian manufacturers of gold, silver, diamond and gemstone jewellery, plus loose natural and laboratory-grown diamonds, showcased their goods in private boxes overlooking the pitch. The event was attended by UK retail and wholesale buyers (Brown & Newirth, Gemporia, Gemex, Allied Gold and Optima) as well as others from across the wider jewellery industry, including representatives from the National Association of Jewellers [NAJ], Birmingham and Sheffield Assay Offices and the Goldsmiths’ Company. 

To underscore the important commercial and cultural links between India and the UK, senior representatives of India’s High Commission in London took part in the inauguration ceremony, including a leading negotiator in the India-UK trade deal, which was announced earlier this year. Also taking to the podium to speak to attendees were the NAJ’s Sarah North, Olivia Tasker of Positive Luxury, Howard Levine of Diamnet and Jake Thompson of Gemporia. 

Sarah North, the NAJ’s Business Development Advisor, described the vital work done by Life Cycle India. It’s an initiative that she champions through helping companies to achieve Responsible Jewellery Council and Positive Luxury accreditations, which promote responsible practice and ethical standards.  

She said, “It was an honour to be able to explain about the work that’s carried out through Life Cycle India, which promotes what can be done to help with the challenges faced by females in India, offering reusable underwear to promote their wellbeing and education. The Buyer-Seller Meet was a great success and it will be amazing to see how this can grow and develop over the coming years."  

NAJ CEO Ben Massey was among the attendees, “It was the first opportunity to explore relationships after the UK-India Trade agreement announced last month, which will see a zero per cent charge for imports to the UK, and we await details for UK access to India. The event also established that many suppliers from India are well networked in the UK and some are looking to build out from existing products, for instance, expanding from B2B to B2C."  

Among the well-established manufacturers showcasing were; Uni-Design Jewellery presented necklaces with story-telling charms; and Fine Jewellery Manufacturing offered pieces that embrace moves towards greater sustainability, crafted using recycled precious metals. Walking Tree offered ‘white label’ solutions and designer Suyasha Lunawat presented the Lunaya demi-fine jewellery range, with gemstones and enamel work, offered by Exxotic India. Zillionaire presented men on trend hip hop jewellery range and ColorQ unveiled diamond-set gold jewellery.