The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) hosted the 46th India Gem and Jewellery Awards (IGJA), supported by GIA in India’s Diamond City, Surat. The awards were presented by Honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijay Rupani alongside Guest of Honour, Shri C.R. Patil, Member of Parliament, GOI and Special Guest, Shri Kumar Kanani, Minister for Health & Family welfare and Medical Education, Government of Gujarat; Shri Colin Shah, Chairman, GJEPC; Shri Dinesh Navadiya, Chairman, Gujarat Region, GJEPC; and Shri Mansukh Kothari, Convener, Events, GJEPC and Shri Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC.
The Honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijay Rupani congratulating the winners
said “The gem and jewellery industry showed its resilience despite the pandemic and enabled exports to quickly bounce back to pre-Covid levels. I am sure, the Gem & Jewellery sector will play a significant role in helping achieve US$ 400 billion of merchandise exports target, the goal set by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shree Narendra bhai Modi for the year 2021-22.”
Speaking on the occasion, GJEPC Chairman, Shri Colin Shah said, “As an industry, we wish to work towards our Prime Minister’s vision and achieve the USD 400 Bn ambition. We are delighted that this financial year has started on a positive note with Q1 recording a growth of 8.46% as compared to the same period of pre-pandemic year 2019. If we keep up this momentum, we can easily achieve our target of USD 43.75 billion exports this year. GJEPC has organized this ceremony to celebrate leading exporters for their dedication and hard work towards the sector. On behalf of the entire gem and jewellery industry, we wish that through the support of the government, our entire sector will continue to flourish. If we maintain this
momentum, we will beat China and emerge as the leading exporting country. “
The selection criteria for the awards is based on export performances, value addition,
employment generation and investment in R&D among other parameters, during the financial year. In recognition of the business excellence demonstrated by companies that are helping to strengthen ‘Brand India’, the GJEPC not only felicitates industry players for their exemplary performance, but also recognizes entities such as banks and agencies supplying gold that play a key role in the growth of the diamond sector.
GJEPC Vice Chairman, Shri Vipul Shah said, “India’s gem and jewellery export has bounced back to its pre-covid levels. This is a reflection of the industry’s inherent strength and resilience. Credit for this goes to the entrepreneurs at the helm, leaders who combine ethics with enterprise, and to the millions of talented and highly skilled artisans whose contribution is important too. The industry has always cared for its workforce and did so through the difficult period last year too. It is fitting that the IGJA recognises not just business achievements, but also important contributions such as the best CSR programmes, those who lead in terms of employment generation and tax compliance, the ones at the forefront of Digital Enterprise and of Innovation, etc.”