The Sydney leg of GJEPC’s Australia-New Zealand trade delegation brought Indian exporters into direct contact with Australian jewellery retailers and buying groups, with discussions focused on market requirements and opportunities created by the India-Australia ECTA.

Led by Vijay Mangukiya, Convener - International Exhibitions, GJEPC, the Sydney programme on 21 August included a delegation session, industry meetings, showroom visits and an official dinner. The main session brought together 32 participants, including 15 industry brands, nine jewellers, four Consulate General representatives, three event team members and eight visiting delegation members.

The engagement comes as India’s gem and jewellery exports to Australia rose 16% to US$374.33 million in FY2025-26. Gold jewellery exports increased 28% to US$246.32 million, silver jewellery rose 30% to US$18.54 million, coloured gemstones grew 36% to US$1.25 million, while cut & polished diamonds dropped 9% to US$84.3 million. Gems and jewellery from India enter Australia at zero duty under the India-Australia ECTA.

In Sydney, Sridhar Iyengar, Director - International Events, GJEPC, met Cindy Jones, Gemmology & Product Lead at Nationwide Jewellers, one of Australia’s major buying groups. Founded in 1991 to support independent jewellery retailers, Nationwide today has more than 400 member stores across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

Iyengar also met Josh Zarb, CEO, Jewellers Collective, an Australian buying group representing 150 independent retailers. Zarb has more than 28 years’ experience working with Australian independent jewellery businesses and has previously served as a director and vice president of the Jewellers Association of Australia.

The participating Indian companies span natural and lab-grown diamonds, gold, silver, platinum, coloured gemstones and contemporary jewellery.

The programme also included visits to the Altmann & Cherny showroom, ABC showroom and Queen Victoria Building, followed by an evening delegation dinner at Doltone House.