CIBJO CONGRESS 2023 Commences In
Jaipur
Gem & Jewellry industry pledges to enhance Trust, Transperancy, Sustainability, Traceability & Resposible Sourcing thru'self-regulation
The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) held its annual Congress for the first time in Jaipur at Fairmont, Jaipur. The Congress is being organised from 3rd to 5th October. Pre-Congress meetings were held on 1st and 2nd October. The 2023 Congress is being hosted by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and the National Gem & Jewellery Council of India (NGJCI) supported by Ministry of Commerce and Industry and MSME Ministry, Govt. of India.
The inaugural session was graced by Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, (shared a virtual message); Mr. Gaetano Cavalieri, President, CIBJO; Mr. Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC; Mr. Pramod Kumar Agarwal, Vice President, India, CIBJO and Chairman, NGJCI; Mr. R. Arulanandan, Director, Department of Commerce, Govt. of India; Ms. Feriel Zerouki, President, World Diamond Council (WDC); Mr. Yoram Dvash, President, World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB); Mr. Damien Cody, President, International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA).
CIBJO Congresses serve as the official gathering place for the World Jewellery Confederation’s Assembly of Delegates, and are also the venue for the annual meetings of CIBJO’s sectoral commissions, where amendments can be introduced to the organisation’s definitive directories of international industry standards for diamonds, coloured stones, pearls, gem labs, precious metals, coral and responsible sourcing, known as the Blue Books.
Mr. Gaetano Cavalieri, President, CIBJO, said in his welcome address, “CIBJO is the oldest international jewellery association in the world and will celebrate 100 years in Year 2026. CIBJO Congress is being held again after almost 4 years (2019 CIBJO Congress at Bahrain) and the world and industry has changed considerably. The experience of visiting India is overwhelming as India is a country which excites all the senses. The pandemic was an unimaginable yet transformative event; but the trade has now adapted to the new circumstances showing its inherent resilience. Business models of fine jewellery players are evolving rapidly. G7 countries, which accounted for half of all jewellery sales, will be introducing new norms and standards with respect to traceability, trust and transparency. CIBJO is a trusted organisation, which protects interests of members. It prescribes policy framework to enable and empower industry to put in place tools to operate within law to remain as transparent, honest, sustainable and responsible. We shall discuss and review all matters of international relevance for the trade. However, of 17 sustainable goals of the UN - Partnership is the most important one.”
Mr. Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “Jaipur is a fitting location for CIBJO Congress as it is a living, breathing testament to the craft and artistry that our industry possesses. As a global leader, India continues to shape the gem and jewellery landscape, serving as both a beacon of time-honoured craftsmanship and a hub for innovation. India is the only beacon of hope as far as jewellery demand goes. Befitting its leadership position in processing of diamonds and gemstones like emerald and tanzanite, India adheres to ethical sourcing practices as well as contributes to the development of industry standards. The Kimberley Process Source protocol for rough diamonds which started based on demand from consumers, is going through a reform cycle and we are committed to support such reform. Consumer’s confidence should be protected at any cost. So, our Government is also discussing with G7 countries the new measures for segregation of diamonds that they are demanding from the trade based on current geopolitical situation. The 2023 CIBJO Congress will also address the pressing issues and opportunities that define our industry.”
Mr. Pramod Kumar Agarwal, Vice President, India, CIBJO and Chairman, NGJCI, said, “We are glad that more than 135 overseas delegates, including representatives of some of the top global jewellery brands are attending the CIBJO Congress. A few of them must have come to Jaipur for the first time. Today, we estimate that our industry employs around 2 lakh skilled individuals in and around Jaipur, carrying on a tradition of enamelling and gem-cutting that has stood the test of time. The city of Jaipur is playing a very important role in Coloured Gemstones and Jewellery. There are two Gems & Jewellery Special Economic Zones, one Domestic Tariff Zone of Gems & Jewellery, a world class training institute, IIGJ, a Gem Certification Laboratory and Exhibition and Convention Centre, all located are at one place. Jewellers Association, Jaipur and GJEPC will be developing the largest gem bourse in the world in Jaipur, India. The delegates at CIBJO Congress can exchange the views with each other and explore the possibility of future business. CIBJO is actively working on Sustainable Development Goals, it is in support of Supply Chain Traceability and a policy of Accurate Product Disclosure, which is need of the hour too.”
Mr. R. Arulanandan, the Director of the Department of Commerce, Government of India, said, “CIBJO is one the oldest gem & jewellery organisations in the world. Legend has it that the founder king of Jaipur Sawai Jaisingh invited artisans from all over world to set up gem & jewellery workshops adding a historical significance to the CIBJO Congress being held here. India is committed to furthering gem & jewellery trade and the Foreign Trade Policy has a separate section for this sector. India holds an important position in global supply chain network. India has taken early initiatives such as creation of many new harmonised code systems to identify different gem & jewellery industry segments leading to correct classification and valuation. It is good to see GJEPC and CIBJO work together for enhancing trust, traceability and transparency.”
Ms. Feriel Zerouki, President, WDC, said, “India has been the heart of the global gem & jewellery business. India continues to play an increasingly central role in the global supply chain. India is now much more than traditional focus on cutting and polishing centre. India is now emerging as a rapidly growing global hub and consumer centre. It is always exciting to be in India where the passion, experience and expertise in the gem & jewellery business is growing constantly. Our business is cyclical and eventually the cycle rebounds and we shall experience upswing. We need to be prepared and ready to capture future opportunities. We need to think long term consumer interests and expectations. Traceability, Responsible sourcing and Sustainability are the key mantras. India has made progress in these areas. GJEPC has been spearheading fruitful discussions and advocating key perspectives to boost consumer confidence. We thank GJEPC for being unwavering in its support for developing G7 solutions framework in an effective practical and accessible manner.”
Mr. Yoram Dvash, President, WFDB, said, “The World Federation of Diamond Bourses is closely linked to the gem & jewellery industry. As economies are struggling and the US and China are facing challenging times, we are advocating Sustainability Responsibility and Transparency. Industry faces external and internal challenges. De Beers recognised the challenges faced by natural diamond industry and as key stakeholder, it has decided to invest $20 mn in marketing programs to enhance demand in the forthcoming festival season. CIBJO will discuss radical steps to boost the demand for natural diamonds. The WFDB along with GJEPC and CIBJO Congress will support the objectives of the G7 and create framework for self-regulation in the industry.”
Mr. Damien Cody, President, ICA, said, “The world’s gemstone industry has been in existence for thousands of years and it will continue to endure. The potential for growth in China and India is phenomenal and enormous. Gem & jewellery trade is trying to win customers back in the context of geopolitical and economic pressures. The demand at the top end of market is growing as seen in auctions. Impact of synthetics has grown and though disruptive, it has a place in the market. The marketing of synthetics needs to be controlled. The consumer needs to have clear unambiguous messages with full disclosures and disclaimers. The opposite will impact trust. Consumers are demanding more in terms of environment and sustainability. Complete transparency is impossible in gemstones but members are evolving and embracing continuous enhancements. Artisans and craftsmen communities should not feel the heat and impact of rapid changes. The wonderful vibrant stories of artisanal communities need to be celebrated across the world.”
About CIBJO
The World Jewellery
Confederation (CIBJO) covers the entire jewellery, gemstone and precious metals
sectors – vertically, from mine to marketplace, and horizontally within each of
the component parts in the various production, manufacturing and trading
centres. Its members are not individuals, but rather representative
associations or commercial bodies. They include national and international
trade organisations from more than 45 countries around the world and many of
the international jewellery sector’s leading corporations and service
providers. The Confederation is also the only organisation in the international
diamond, gemstone and jewellery sectors to have received official consultative
status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.
This enables it to advance programmes and goals of the UN within the industry,
serving as a technical expert, adviser and consultant to governments and the UN
Secretariat. It additionally is a member of the UN Global Compact and is
committed to the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals.
About The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)
The
Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), set up by the Ministry of
Commerce, Government of India (GoI) in 1966, is one of several Export Promotion
Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian Government, to boost the country’s
export thrust, when India’s post-Independence economy began making forays in
the international markets. Since 1998, the GJEPC has been granted autonomous
status. The GJEPC is the apex body of the gems & jewellery industry and
today represents 9000 members in the sector. With headquarters in Mumbai,
GJEPC has Regional Offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat and Jaipur,
all of which are major centres for the industry. It thus has a wide reach and
is able to have a closer interaction with members to serve them in a direct and
more meaningful manner. Over the past decades, GJEPC has emerged as one of the
most active EPCs and has continuously strived to both expand its reach and
depth in its promotional activities as well as widen and increase services to
its members.
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Twitter: www.twitter.com/GJEPCIndia
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