Products will be displayed on a dedicated secure GJEPC website with a user-friendly search function. Registered buyers and sellers will then be matched through the site and have video meetings scheduled and managed by the GJEPC, alongside a team of international coordinators.
The GJEPC postponed the India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) Premiere – the country’s largest jewellery trade fair – earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic; it had been scheduled to take place from 6–10 August.
Another major Indian diamond trade event, Bharat Diamond Week, was held digitally last week.
Colin Shah, chairman GJEPC, said, “The demand for gems and jewellery is slowly recovering in markets like the US, China and other parts of the world. We need to make sure that we reach out to these buyers and meet their requirements.
“This is the time to explore the digital world, and make the best use of it to showcase our products through virtual medium and help buyers make informed decisions.”
Vipul Shah, vice-chairman GJEPC, explained that the VBSM would “give our exhibitors in India as well as buyers from across the world an opportunity to interact and make decisions in a similar way as they used to do at a physical show”.
Dilip Shah, convener international GJEPC, added, “The VBSMs will help our buyers to check out new product developments without travelling, explore new sourcing opportunities, compare and analyse products and services of exhibitors without any distraction.”
He added, “I am glad that we have been able to create an advanced user-friendly set-up which would give our buyers an experience better than the real one. A series of VBSMs are organised over the next few months, which would help our buyers across the world to source gems and jewellery from the comfort of their homes or offices.”
The diamond VBSM is intended to be the first of many, with future digital trading events focused on other categories within the jewellery market, such as gold, colour gemstones, and platinum.
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