Bharat Diamond Week witnessed over 1000 domestic and international buyers over a period of three days. The show has certainly exceeded the expectations of the organizers and they are planning for a second edition of the show in October this year.

The show created an intimate platform for the loose diamond trade wherein the exhibitors and buyers could meet, trade as well as network. Also, there could not have been a better platform for SMEs and MSMEs to showcase their products to the world being at home i.e. Bharat Diamond Bourse.

A ‘By Invite’ only show, it allowed only serious buyers on the shop floor which helped exhibitors to have a one-on-one connect with them.

The first-ever Bharat Diamond Week was opened by US Consul General Edgard D. Kagan in the presence of BDB President Anoop Mehta, GJEPC Chairman Pramod Agarwal, MDMA PresidentMahendra Gandhi, Diamond Dealers Club of New York President Reuven Kaufman, and Rosy Blue (India) Managing Director Russell Mehta. The Belgian Consul General in Mumbai, Peter Huyghebaert, also visited the fair.

‘‘ The 1st Edition of Bharat Diamond Week more than lived up to our expectations,” said BDB Vice- President Mehul Shah, who heads the Diamond Week project. “We understood early on that there was going to be great interest, and that turned out to be the case with more than 1,000 visitors from India and across the world taking part. We are planning for the next show to take place from October 8-9.

“Our aim is to help the smaller and medium-size firms by giving them a platform on which they can show their goods to buyers from India and overseas. Many companies in the bourse who were not able to exhibit in the show marquee reported that buyers also moved around the exchange, visiting offices and doing business.”

BDB President Anoop Mehta said, “The Diamond Week really energised the whole Bharat Diamond Bourse. It created a lot of action and momentum. People had smiles on their faces and the event really put a spring in the step of our BDB members. We are now planning the next show. We will be implementing changes based on lessons that we learned from the planning of this show. The October show will take the Bharat Diamond Week to a whole new level. I must thank all my members who organised the show and put in so much effort to ensure its success, as well as the buyers who took part.”

These kinds of shows are the need of the hour to promote ‘Brand India’ to the world. It is necessary to talk about India which is not just the cutting and polishing leader but can also be potential manufacturing hub.

Exhibitors Speak
Bharat Diamond Week was a good initiative. Compliments to the Bharat Diamond Bourse team led by Anoop Mehta and Mehul Shah for providing an opportunity for Indian diamantaires – small to large – to showcase their offerings under one roof. As a service provider to the diamond industry, GIA India spreads awareness about grading as well as synthetic diamond identification services. Events such as Bharat Diamond Week are aimed at creating platforms to conduct business and help the diamond industry grow. Nirupa Bhatt, MD of GIA India and Middle East

This show was a brilliant concept – full credit to BDB for the show where all platforms can meet in one single platform, a lot of networking is happening. For us, clients are already familiar with IGI and in a show like this our brand is further being endorsed amongst players. Tehmasp Printer, IGI

Though it was the first edition, the show was organized extremely well. The most notable aspect is that it had the right kind of customers coming in. I deal with colour diamonds and the demand for them is not so great in India yet. I think shows like these will help me a lot for the future. Denish Shah, D Diam

Quality of response in the show was less and in offices it was much better. Buyers were visiting the show but they were doing businesses in the offices. The show was a good platform to get to know the buyers for sure. It was their first initiative and in the future the show can be grander. Ajay Jakhotia, Kunming Diamond, Hong Kong

The format of the show was great because you don’t need a bigger booth; if you are unable to show all your goods in the booth, you can take the buyer to the office. The small and medium scale companies get better exposure and this is a great platform for BDB as well. Ankit Shah, Ankit Gems

Buyers Speak
My first impression is that Bharat Diamond Week is neat, orderly and very well organised. Every booth had goods presented in different size, shapes, which was good for the buyer. Alex Popov, President, Moscow Diamond Bourse

Being the first edition, the show is very well organised. It is organised better than that what I had expected it to be. I think it has excellent potential. I am looking for new suppliers or customers that I don’t get to usually meet. Yoran Dayagi, Dayagi Diamonds

To be very honest, I am pleasantly surprised. The organizers have done an amazing job. With a show like this, I can get to see all the goods under one roof, which makes a buyer’s life easier. So, even if they host this show twice in a year, I will come back again. Ofer Nof, Nof Ofer Diamonds Ltd Though it was the first edition, the show was organized extremely well. The most notable aspect is that it had the right kind of customers coming in. I deal with colour diamonds and the demand for them is not so great in India yet. I think shows like these will help me a lot for the future. Denish Shah, D Diam