India’s premier gem and jewelry organization, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) – India announced a major, new, multi-level business development campaign focused on the U.S., Canadian and South American markets.
The purpose of the campaign is to reinvogorate, strengthen and expand GJEPC’s business development efforts and build trusted relationships between India’s key jewelry industry companies and individuals and their counterparts in these American markets.
India’s gem & jewellery exports to USA stood at US$ 4.79 bn in 2013 as compared to US$ 4.03 bn in 2012 indicating an increase year on year from 11% in 2012 to 13% in 2013. What is noteworthy is majority of the US leading traders are serviced by Indian manufacturers reinstating India’s commitment to produce the one of the most exquisite and desired jewellery pieces.
First, the Council is setting up a series of in-depth Business Development Conferences (BDCs) so the GJEPC-India and its colleagues in the Americas will have opportunities to meet in person, discuss issues and find solutions.
Next, the groups will work on developing “best practices” directed towards today’s rapidly changing business landscape. The third step is to create an atmosphere that is continually replenishing and reinvigorating vendor/client relations with face-to-face meetings and social events designed to create new ideas and engender even stronger business partnerships and personal ties.
Fourth, the BDCs will let both groups listen to important and relevant keynote topics presented for thoughtful discussions between the global colleagues as they work to build new and profitable economic bridges and enhance personal relationships.
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- GJEPC Chairman Vipul Shah
Additionally, the Council plans to sponsor additional activities that will support and boltster this work as the campaign goes forward. According to GJEPC – India Chairman Vipul Shah,“We know that the U.S., Canadian and South American markets are uniquely important to our Indian gem and jewelry industry. India is one of the leading and preferred importing and sourcing destination for these regions when it come sto Gem & Jewellery We look forward to meeting our colleagues from the Americas face-to-face to talk about all aspects of the gem and jewelry trade and how we can better work together to the greater success of all.”
The Council plans to hold several face-to-face business development meetings in Phase One of a three-year-long campaign. Besides these key meetings, the Council will host ancillary events to support campaign activities.
According to Shah, the first meeting will be a four-day event called the “2014 Indo/U.S. Business Development Conference” (BDC), to be held in Chicago, Illinois on Sept. 5-8, 2014.
Participants will hammer out new and better ways to work together in all aspects of the gem and jewelry trade, including manufacturing, design, production, gem and jewelry material acquisition and retail marketing .
Shah said, “This September BDC is the first such event held in the USA. For us, this is a significant outreach program to the Western Hemisphere, not only looking at our important markets, but including our colleagues, clients and competitors. In today’s world, change is constant, and we hope BDCs, such as the one upcoming in Chicago, and the many supporting activities we have planned, will make sure India’s gem and jewellery industry is tied firmly into the world’s trends, technologies and capabilities.”
“Indian business community are one of the frontrunners in following ethical business practices through various CSR activities they carry out to support social causes including adopting ‘No Child Labour’ Policy. GJEPC through its strong nework and being a responsible KP member has propogated and ensured that the Diamonds engaged in the trade are conflict free”, Mr. Shah added
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- GJEPC Vice Chairman Pankaj Parekh
The GJEPC Vice Chairman Pankaj Parekh added, “We are looking forward to developing close business and personal ties with people throughout the Americans. Traveling to our important markets will help us learn more about the people there, and how to strengthen and grow many wide-ranging business interests together.”
Also at the meeting, Parekh said that the BDC will “share information into the Council’s ‘Buyer/Seller Matching Initiative’, and showcase the beauty, artistry and production values of gorgeous Indian jewelry.”
Parekh added that they expect to see 15 manufacturer/exporters from India with 15 to 20 companies from North America participating at the Chicago event.
The Chicago conference is being organized and run on behalf of the GJEPC – India by Whitney Sielaff and Rick Bannerot of S&B Partners, LLC. They also organized the Council’s two BDCs held in India.
