The Council has been extremely proactive in various initiatives in the last two quarters, in the post lockdown time. We have been working closely with the government both at the Centre and State. Mumbai was allowed to open export units in May – as Seepz and BDB are important hubs of export activities in India, we are grateful to the State for this timely support Colin Shah, Chairman, GJEPCIndia International Jewellery Show (IIJS) Virtual 2020, powered by GIA, organized by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India (GJEPC), concluded on October 16, 2020. The five-day jewellery extravaganza which commenced on October 12, 2020, has been a one-of-akind for all exhibitors and visitors.
IIJS Virtual 2020 was promoted extensively across the world. Over 50 National and International web road shows, 450+ exhibitor training sessions, and 100+ buyer tutorial sessions were conducted before the show.
It is estimated that approx. Rs. 1000 crore (USD 137 million) business transacted at IIJS Virtual.

Commenting on the success of the show, Colin Shah, Chairman, GJEPC said, “IIJS Virtual has been nothing short of miraculous. We have witnessed IIJS bring the industry out from a pandemic paralysis -- that, too, virtually! The industry realised that one needs to change along with time and for business sustainability, extensive usage of digital was the need of the hour. GJEPC has done its bit to provide necessary platform so that the export continues. The Industry today has seen a very robust digital disruption and I’m certain that digital mode of doing business is the future for the industry.” Vipul Shah, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, said, “IIJS Virtual 2020 has stimulated business for the sector. Buyers from across the world were looking for a platform to source gem and jewellery for the upcoming festive season, and we are happy that GJEPC has been able to create a platform for all to meet, network and do business in a safe and secured manner.

IIJS Virtual was good, the goods could be inspected well. Small items are easier to gauge – however, in case of heavy antiques it is somewhat difficult to check the quality of stones used, the real karigari and shine aren’t that visible. I have attended a few meetings, got manufacturers to show me what I needed SUReNDRA VeRMA, Kuldip Sons Jewellers, JharkandThe Guests of Honour for the inaugural ceremony were Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray and Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Railways, Piyush Goyal. During the inaugural speech, Uddhav Thackeray expressed his aim to make Maharashtra the world’s leading center for diamond and jewellery trade, whereas Piyush Goyal complimented on the resilience shown by the gems and jewellery sector during the ongoing pandemic.

Shailesh Sangani, Convener, National Exhibitions, GJEPC, said, “Meeting face-to-face at physical shows and expositions is very important and must happen at least once or twice a year, but virtual shows are going to be the future, purely because of the ease in doing business from the comfort of our own offices and homes.

Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC, said, “We realised that we would have to train buyers how to conduct business on IIJS Virtual and serviced 8,000 visitors by assigning 60 people, each handling around 150 people on WhatsApp. In just 40 days, we conducted 40 road shows, tying up with different associations for training sessions. We created modules and training videos and gradually the ramping up happened across India.”

For visitor registration, the GJEPC turned to its ready, authenticated database of 40,000 IIJS visitors through constant follow-ups via WhatsApp calls, emailers, social media and conducted tutorial meetings on Zoom. Local association heads were roped in to propagate the show to their members and similar online promotions were done for international visitors.

The herculean efforts put in by the GJEPC has led to the digital transformation of the Indian gem and jewellery industry. And the ready acceptance by exhibitors and visitors alike in embracing the new digital future shows the industry’s willingness to adapt to new ways of doing business and collectively face the challenges head on and emerge successful.