GJEPC Chairman Shri Vipul Shah announces several new measures to boost gems and jewelry exports
Gem & Jewelry Export Promotion Council organized a grand celebration of the Silver Jubilee of its Eastern Regional Office in Kolkata.
FinTech BizNews Service
Mumbai, January 14, 2025: Gem & Jewelry Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), India’s apex trade body sponsored by the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry organized a grand celebration of the Silver Jubilee of its Eastern Regional Office in Kolkata.
Mr. Vipul Shah , Chairman, GJEPC , Mr. Kirit Bhansali , Vice Chairman, GJEPC , Mr. Sabyasachi Ray, ED, GJEPC , Mr. Pankaj Parekh, Regional Chairman, East India, GJEPC and Mr. Suvankar Sen, MD & CEO, Senco Gold & Diamonds graced the august ceremony. Members of SEZ Committee, GJEPC ; several esteemed members and stalwarts of the gems & jewelry sector graced the grand ceremony by attending the grand ceremony held at Bengal Paddle Jetty, Kolkata.
Shri Shivaji H Dange , IRS , Principal Commissioner of Customers , Airport & ACC Kolkata graced the important occasion as the Chief Guest.
Mr Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC highlighted the Council’s commitment to drive growth. He said , “ The Indian gems and jewelry market , currently valued at US$ 85 billion , is poised for rapid growth , projected to reach US$ 130 billion by 2030. To meet this growth momentum, GJEPC is gearing up to come up with a number of innovative measures. ”
Speaking about the recent collaboration with De Beers Group , Mr. Shah said , “ GJEPC has till date invested ₹150 crore in global generic promotion of diamonds. To strengthen this effort , GJEPC has partnered with De Beers for promotion of diamonds through Retail Alliance in India. A formal MoU for this partnership was signed recently in a special event on 7th January. ”
Mr Shah said , “ The world's leading diamond company De Beers Group and GJEPC announced the launch of a strategic collaboration to strengthen the natural diamond business within the Indian gems and jewellery trade. It is named ' Indian Natural Diamond Retailer Alliance - INDRA ' . Under this, the focus will be on providing support to independent retailers in India beyond traditional tools. For example , leveraging artificial intelligence to create customized retail campaigns. Additionally , enhanced customer experiences through multilingual marketing efforts and in-depth training in local languages will ensure that natural diamonds connect deeply with every consumer. ”
GJEPC organised the first B2B trade show ' IIJS Signature 2025' , which generated a turnover of around Rs 35,000 crore. The show has grown rapidly , with over 1,500 exhibitors participating across 3,000 stalls . The show welcomed over 25,000 trade visitors , including retailers from over 800 Indian cities and over 1,000 international visitors from over 60 countries.
“ GJEPC will be holding its inaugural exhibition in Saudi Arabia , which will be held during 11-13 September 2025 in the vibrant and bustling city of Jeddah. This landmark event aims to serve as a gateway to strengthen bilateral trade between India and the GCC region , opening up unique opportunities for cooperation and growth. It will serve as a gateway to promote bilateral trade between India and the GCC region ,” Mr. Shah said.
'' Additionally , to boost gems and jewellery exports through e-commerce , GJEPC has signed a MoU with DHL Express, a global leader in international express services. Under this , jewellery finished in India will be efficiently transported across the globe in collaboration with DHL Express ,'' Mr Shah added.
Mr. Shah also looks forward to working in collaboration with various states. Speaking on this, he said , “ GJEPC and the Government of Maharashtra are collaborating on skill development and certification to strengthen the workforce of the future. By integrating skill development with cutting-edge technology , we are not only transforming the Indian gems and jewellery industry , but also fostering trust with innovation and stability. Our commitment to preserve talent , improve infrastructure and promote transparency ensures that India is the world’s leading gems and jewellery industry in this industry.” continue to be a global leader in the field. "
On the export front , Mr Shah remained quite optimistic about 2025. '' With the return of US President Donald Trump to the White House , renewed stability in the political landscape , restoration of trade and stronger supply chains are expected , thereby boosting the global demand for gems and jewellery. However , GJEPC is constantly exploring new markets , while strengthening its presence in existing markets ,'' Mr Shah said.
GJEPC is also planning to make Singur (West Bengal) a global export hub for fashion and costume jewellery. Singur has a skilled workforce of around 1 lakh Bengali artisans working in manufacturing units located in and around Singur , Hooghly. 20 per cent of the workforce is women and developing Singur as an export hub will also boost the local cottage industry. The vendors importing raw materials are located in Singur. Recently, manufacturing of imported quality gypsum has also started in Singur. Singur is ideally centrally located in Hooghly district and is close to 5 railway stations. It is also close to National Highway- 2 , which is connected to Kolkata International Airport.
" Singur has a legacy of artisans , with Kolkata's renowned craftsmanship serving as a strong foundation for it. These crafts carry forward a rich heritage of artisanal skills which can be leveraged by Singur's jewellery makers, " he added . " With the recent changes in global trade , with the US reluctant to source from China, Singur's manufacturers have a significant opportunity to meet this demand and expand their global presence. "
Mr Shah said , “ India's gems and jewellery business has two strengths , the first being the superior quality in design and beauty and smart-tech for jewellery manufacturing as well as knowledge. The knowledge needs to be further deepened so that India can become the knowledge and skill hub of the global gems and jewellery trade. With unique capabilities , advanced technology , skilled craftsmen and talented designers , we are poised to excel on the global stage. Together we will make a significant contribution to the Hon'ble Prime Minister's vision of a developed India. ”
Talking about the ' Indian Natural Diamond Retailer Alliance - INDRA ' , Mr Shah said , ' The country 's Indra is designed to capitalise on this momentum in light of a dynamic young population , the rise of organised players and the growing demand for bridal , everyday wear and fashion jewellery. The initiative reflects a shared vision to educate stakeholders , empower retailers and drive consumer demand , while highlighting the timeless value of natural diamonds. Retailers will benefit from multilingual staff training modules focused on general natural diamond product knowledge as well as access to a market intelligence portal. The programme will assist retailers in creating customised marketing strategies to promote natural diamonds at the store level , enabling them to expand their customer base while maximising their returns. ''
