The ceremonial inauguration at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC) in Goregaon officially opened the doors for the 42nd edition of IIJS Bharat Premiere 2026, uniting key government figures, international trade leaders, and industry stakeholders. Organised by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), the event celebrates a quarter-century of its B2B format, with this year's venue opening placing a sharp focus on propelling Indian craftsmanship and homegrown brands into expanding global consumer markets.
Hon’ble Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, Shri Chirag Paswan, inaugurated the BEC halls as Chief Guest. The inaugural panel featured Guests of Honour Paul Rowley (Executive Vice President of Diamond Trading, De Beers Group), K.P. Abdul Salam (Vice Chairman, Malabar Group), and Lamon Rutten (MD & CEO, India Gold Metaverse Pvt. Ltd.), alongside GJEPC leadership represented by Chairman Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman Shaunak Parikh, and Executive Director Sabyasachi Ray.
Inaugurating the halls, Union Minister Chirag Paswan pointed out that delegates from nearly 80 countries attended the event, which he noted reflects growing international confidence in Indian manufacturing. He shared that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for Viksit Bharat 2047, the government remains committed to business-friendly policies and removing operational trade barriers. He also encouraged manufacturers to maintain high standards of quality and craftsmanship so that Indian products continue to earn consumer trust abroad.
Opening the industry addresses, GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali outlined India's expanding role in shaping international trade rules, highlighting leadership responsibilities in the Kimberley Process, the World Diamond Council, and the World Federation of Diamond Bourses. He explained that newly active Free Trade Agreements and the growing international presence of domestic brands are helping push the sector toward its long-term target of $100 billion in exports by 2047.
Addressing the shift toward brand building, Malabar Group Vice Chairman K.P. Abdul Salam noted that Indian businesses have evolved from manufacturing goods for foreign companies to establishing their own respected brands globally. He added that trade exhibitions like IIJS give local suppliers direct access to international buyers while showcasing domestic production standards, design, and sustainability. Focusing on modern trade tools, Lamon Rutten from India Gold Metaverse explained how digital networks allow retailers to showcase wider inventories and serve nationwide customers without needing additional working capital, helping traditional jewellers scale their operations as national businesses.
Beyond the opening speeches, the exhibition runs across a dual-venue setup spanning over 135,000 square meters between the Jio World Convention Centre in BKC, which opened on August 5, and the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, running through August 10. Together, the two sites host more than 2,100 exhibitors across 3,600 stalls, with organizers expecting over 50,000 trade visitors from 1,300 Indian cities and 80 countries.
Exporters at the venue are also working to take advantage of recently active trade deals, including the India-UK CETA and the India-Oman CEPA, along with existing agreements with the UAE and Australia. At the BEC hall, attendees can visit the India Gem & Jewellery Machinery Expo running alongside the main show, featuring 249 exhibitors focused on automated tools and AI-driven design software. The overall event centers around the cultural theme "Music of India" and offers curated spaces like The Select Club for couture pieces and startup presentations at JewelStart Demo Day.
