The inaugural ceremony of the debut edition of Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India (GJEPC) International Colored Gemstone Mines to Market Conference saw a gathering of leading dignitaries and personalities. Inaugurating the event today in India’s gemtstone city – Jaipur, , were Mr. Saurabh Chandra, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Ian Harebottle, CEO, Gemfield and Mr. Rajiv Jain, Chairman GJEPC.

The two day conference which concludes on 3rd November 2011, will invite and host presentations and discussions by experts from various countries, to discuss the various aspects involved in colored gemstone trade across the globe. Based on Council’s existing initiative of International Diamond Conference held last year, Mines to Market for Colored Gemstone aims at reinforcing India’s position as the global hub for colored Gemstones.

" India the global diamond leader has organised Mines to Market in the past to take stock of diamond pipeline and status of trade, but today we turn to yet another arena that India has been known for since time immemorial, that being colored gemstones. The Gem & Jewellery industry is undoubtedly the fastest growing industry in the world, be it in exports or in domestic front .In India not only does it contribute extensively to the economy, but also provides substantial employment opportunities in the country. In the Financial Year 2010-11, India exported colored gemstones worth US$ 315.22 million registering an increase of 9.92 per cent as compared to US$ 286.78 million exported during 2009-2010”, said Mr. Rajiv Jain. He further added that the colored gemstones industry has tremendous potential to grow, and that the GJEPC “are determined to expand our exports of Colored Gemstones significantly in the next three years. With Mines to Market initiative, the industry stands to address all the global concerns, forge a solid road ahead, determine all the necessary steps that need to be taken to establish and maintain a flourishing Colored Gemstones trade globally.”

“It gives me pride to be a part of this foray of the GJEPC which recognizes and brings to fore yet another long standing avenue of India’s growing trade with other countries namely colored gemstones. The collective endeavour while remains the forging of Brand India, talks are also on to promote Jaipur as a colored gemstone destination amongst international players.” Said Mr. Saurabh Chandra, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry Commerce and Industry.

The GJEPC has brought together this varied group of eminent speakers from all over the globe in an attempt to unite the efforts of international colored gemstone players and focus on defining a new path in a new direction that evolves the global gem & jewellery industry to the next level.