The second edition of the India Gem & Jewellery Machinery Expo (IGJME) at the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre, Sarsana, has larger and more diverse exhibitor participation than last year, Nirav Bhansali, Convener, National Exhibitions, GJEPC said while speaking at the inauguration of the show this morning.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Nanubhai Vanani, Minister for Sports, Youth & Cultural Activities, Water Resources, Education, Government of Gujarat in the presence D.R. Parmar, GM of the Gujarat government’s District Industries Centre at Surat, Chandrakant Sanghavi, Regional Chairman, Gujarat of GJEPC, Dinesh Navadiya, President, Surat Diamond Association and Bhansali.
The show has 135 stalls with more international participants than in 2013. Besides, there is a Turkey Pavilion and exhibitors from Israel, USA and China, indicative of the growing international interest in the show, Bhansali said. Indian exporters of gems and jewellery have adopted advanced technology quite widely, and so manufacturers are keen to showcase their latest products to the visitors here, he added.
Bhansali also said that nearly 70% of exhibitors were displaying technology related to jewellery manufacturing and that visitors from all over the country were expected to visit the exhibition over the next few days as “Indian diamond and jewellery manufacturers are eager to keep abreast of current developments in the field”.
Earlier, while delivering the Welcome Address, Sanghavi described the chief guest as a member of the diamond industry family who left the business to pursue his political interests, but always supported the industry in all its efforts.
Minister Vanani said that the central and state governments were both working with the aim of “minimising government, but maximising governance”. An ideal government is one that creates an enabling environment for industry to flourish, he said, while pointing out that the Convention Centre where the Expo was being held was a prime example of how they were facilitating growth of the business. He assured the industry that the government was working on a ‘policy structure, a tax structure and the infrastructure’, and it was the responsibility of the industry to reap the benefits from these steps.
“The government is behind you,” he declared, “and will do whatever is required to help you, and I am sure that initiatives like exhibitions, seminars and other projects will see Surat’s diamond industry develop to greater heights.”
Thanking both the Gujarat government and the minister for his support, Dinesh Navadiya said that the seed planted last year has flowered because of the backing from various government departments and the help of the sponsors. He requested the GJEPC to finalise plans for next year’s show to enable the local trade to prepare even better for it.
The IGJME will run till November 30.
Photo Caption: Chief Guest releasing the Exhibitor Directory