During the award ceremony, honourable chief guest Piyush Goyal, minister for commerce and industry, consumer affairs, food and public distribution, and textiles, felicitated 27 top gem and jewellery exporters. The 49th iteration of the IGJA was sponsored by ECGC and powered by GIA. Frank Geerkens, the Belgian consul general in Mumbai, was the special guest of honour. Also in attendance were Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director of GJPEC; Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman of GJEPC; Nilesh Kothari, Co-Convener of PMBD; and Vipul Shah, Chairman of GJPEC.
Time reflects technology, innovation, modernity, and entrepreneurship, Piyush Goyal stated in his speech to the audience at the India Gem & Jewellery Award. As Prime Minister Modi had stated, yeh hi samay hai, sahi samay hai, it is up to each and every one of us in attendance as well as other stakeholders in your sector to seize the chance. The entire world is watching you at this very moment. With the assistance of the various government initiatives, I’m confident that your entrepreneurial spirit and your capacity to interact with the modern world in a contemporary manner through innovation, new ideas, new methods of budgeting your product and brand, and designing new products using technology—lab-grown diamonds being a case in point—will allow you to seize this chance and unleash the true potential of the gem and jewellery sector.”
“Our exporters have accomplished a remarkable feat by generating USD 770 billion in exports during the most difficult times,” the minister continued. This accomplishment is a result of everyone involved working very hard and persevering. We are setting our sights on the lofty goal of reaching USD 2 trillion in exports within the next few years because we are optimistic about the future growth and expansion of our sector. Piyush Goyal continues, “The gem and jewellery sector should capitalise on its rich tradition of design and craftsmanship to catapult itself to new heights in the international market.
