Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal felicitates top exporters at the 49th India Gem & Jewellery Awards (IGJA)

Mega Common Facility Centre at SEEPZ Mumbai for MSME gem & jewellery exporters will be ready by September 2023: Piyush Goyal. The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) organised the 49th edition of the India Gem & Jewellery Awards (IGJA) in Mumbai. Hon’ble Chief Guest Shri Piyush Goyal Hon’ble Minister for Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution & Textiles, Government of India, felicitated 27 top Gem & Jewellery exporters during the award ceremony. The 49th edition of IGJA was powered by GIA and co-partnered by ECGC.  Mr. Frank Geerkens, Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai, was the special guest of honour. Also present on the occasion was Shri Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJPEC; Shri Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Shri Nilesh Kothari, Co-Convener, PMBD, GJEPC; Mr. Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJPEC amongst others.

Addressing the audience at the India Gem & Jewellery Award, Shri Piyush Goyal Hon’ble Commerce & Industry Minister said, "Time reflects Technology, Innovation, Modernity, and Entrepreneurship. It is for each one of us present here and other stakeholders of your industry to grasp the opportunity, as Prime Minister Modi had said, yeh hi samay hai, sahi samay hai. This is the moment and the world is looking up to all of you. I'm sure that your entrepreneurial spirit with your abilities to engage with a modern world in a modern way with innovation, new ideas, new ways of budgeting your product and brand, designing new products using technology -- lab-grown diamonds being a case in point -- I'm sure you will grab this opportunity and unleash the true potential of the gem and jewellery sector with help of the several initiatives that the government has undertaken.”

Piyush Goyal further added, “Our exporters have achieved a remarkable feat by generating USD 770 billion in exports during the most challenging times. This accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and resilience of all the stakeholders involved. As we move forward, we are confident that our sector will continue to grow and expand, and we are setting our sights on the ambitious target of reaching USD 2 trillion in exports within the next few years.”

“The gem and jewellery industry should leverage its rich heritage of design and craftsmanship to propel itself to new heights in the global market.” adds Piyush Goyal.

-Ramakant Munde