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 award ceremony was inaugurated 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.”
“The Gems & Jewellery Park taking shape at Surat will become a world-class centre for manufacturing to marketing and exports. Gujarat has attracted 40 per cent of total FDI received in India. It is time to develop and build the right infrastructure.” Rupani added.
Shri CR Patil, Member of Parliament said, “It is a great pleasure to reward all the winners for their contribution in the gem and jewellery industry. I congratulate all the winners but also everyone who is a part of this sector for their perseverance towards making this industry grow.”
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.”
Shri Dinesh Navadiya, Chairman, Gujarat Region, GJEPC said, “GJEPC has taken special steps, with the support of the government, to facilitate the MSMEs such as setting up of Navratna Gallery, the Surat International Dia-trade Centre, skill training, education and awareness building. I am confident that, in the years to come, the industry will flourish and many more award winners will emerge.”
Shri Mansukh Kothari, Convener, Events, commented, “The 46th IGJA honours the high-achievers among the industry, those who are at the forefront of its emergence as a world leader. It recognises their role as a vanguard, leading from the front, raising the bar and encouraging others to excel as well.
| IGJA 2019 Award Winners | |||||
| Award Categories | No of Awards | Winner | Runner – Up | ||
| Industry Performance Categories | |||||
| 1 Precious Metal Jewellery | Plain (Large) | Exports Above Rs. 100 Crore upto Rs 250 Crore | 1 | Emerald Jewel Industry India Limited | |
| Exports Above Rs. 250 Crore | 1 | Vallabhji Malsi & Co. | |||
| Studded (Large) | Exports Rs. 500 Crore & above | 2 | Renaissance Global Limited | Kiran Jewelry | |
| Plain & Studded (SME) | Exports Below Rs. 100 Crore | 2 | Laxmi Jewellery Export Private Limited | Ashok Jewels | |
| 2. Silver Jewellery | 2 | Vaibhav Global Limited | ACPL Exports Private Limited | ||
| 3. Cut & Polished Coloured Gemstones | 2 | RMC Gems India Limited | KGK Gems | ||
| 4. Costume/Fashion Jewellery | 1 | Amrapali Exports | |||
| 5. Cut & Polished Synthetic Stones | 1 | RMC Gems India Limited | |||
| 6. Cut & Polished Diamonds | Highest Turnover (First, Second and Third) | First | 3 | Kiran Gems Private Limited | |
| Second | Hari Krishna Exports Private Limited | ||||
| Third | Laxmi Diamonds Private Limited | ||||
| Large | Exports Rs. 250 Crore above up to Rs. 1000 Crore | 2 | Shivam Jewels | Parisihi Diamonds | |
| SME | Exports Below 250 Crore | 2 | S. Jogani Exports Private Limited | Oopal Diamond | |
| 7. Sales to Foreign Tourist | 1 | Antiquariat (India) Private Limited | |||
| 8. Best Growing Company of the Year | Precious Metal Jewellery – Plain & Studded | 1 | Kiran Jewelry | ||
| Cut & Polished Diamonds | 1 | Shivam Jewels | |||
| Subtotal | 22 | ||||
| Special Recognition Awards | |||||
| 1. Most Innovative Company | 1 | Lemon Technomist Private Limited | |||
| 2. Most Socially Responsible Company | 1 | Laxmi Diamonds Private Limited | |||
| 3. Best Digital Initiative | 1 | Kiran Gems Private Limited | |||
| 1 | Hemal K. Mehta & Co. (Special Recognition) | ||||
| 4. Woman Entrepreneur of the Year | 1 | Ms. Neha Singh, Owner/Founder of Shunaya | |||
| Subtotal | 5 | ||||
| Banks and Agencies Supporting Industry Awards | |||||
| 1. Best Agency Supplying Gold | 1 | Yes Bank Ltd. | |||
| 2. Best Agency Supplying Gold to Highest Number of Clients | 1 | Yes Bank Ltd. | |||
| 3. Best Bank Financing the Industry – Overall (Highest Limits Sanctioned) | 1 | State Bank of India | |||
| 4. Best Bank Financing the Industry – Exports (Highest Limits Sanctioned) | 1 | IndusInd Bank Limited | |||
| 5. Best Bank Financing the Industry – Export to MSME Companies (Highest Limits Sanctioned) Finance should be under 25 Crore and minimum 10 clients. | 1 | State Bank of India | |||
| 6. Best Bank Financing the Industry (Highest Number of Clients) | 1 | State Bank of India | |||
| 7. Best Bank Financing the Industry (Highest Growth of Limits Sanctioned- (Minimum base Rs.500 Cr) | 1 | Yes Bank Ltd. | |||
| Subtotal | 7 | ||||
| Other Categories | |||||
| 1. Highest Employment on roll of Company | 1 | Emerald Jewel Industry India Limited | |||
| 2. Highest Taxpayer Company | 1 | Kiran Gems Private Limited | |||
| Subtotal | 2 | ||||
| Felicitation Categories | |||||
| 1. Life Time Achievement | 1 | Shri Govindbhai L Dholakia | |||
| 2. Clearing Agent of the Year | 1 | BVC Chinai Co India Pvt Ltd. | |||
| 3. Highest Gems and Jewellery Sales (Importer) | 1 | Unique Designs Inc (USA) | |||
| 1 | Kiran Exports (Hong Kong) Ltd. (Far East) | ||||
| 1 | Kiran Exports BVBA (Europe) | ||||
| 1 | Siroya Jewellers LLC (Middle East) | ||||
| Subtotal | 6 | ||||
| Grand Total | 42 | ||||
