GJIIE 2012 to begin on February 23

CHENNAI: The eighth edition of the Gem & Jewellery India International Exhibition (GJIIE 2012) will be held from February 23 to 26 at the Chennai Trade Centre. The event will be organised by the Madras Jewellers and Diamond Merchants’ Association (MJDMA) and United Business Media (UBM). In a pre-event press meet held at the GRT Convention Centre, Jayanthilal Chalani, President MJMDA said, “We are looking forward greatly to hosting the eighth edition of GJIIE in Chennai.” “This year's event is 50 per cent larger than 2011 with 225 participating companies,” he added. Incidentally, according to World Gold Council records, India alone purchased 800 tonnes of gold in the year 2010-2011, stated HM Sultan Mohideen, Vice Chairman, GJIIE. He specified, “Forty per cent of this market came from South India, and sixteen per cent of the overall from Chennai.”Due to the popularity of the event, it was announced that GJIIE has been extended from three days to four. Exhibitors from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Jaipur and other cities in India, as well as foreign participants from Hong Kong, Thailand and Japan will display their wares. However, the exhibition is restricted strictly to traders and is not open to consumers. Also, models walked the ramp displaying the latest designs of gold and diamond jewellery.PT Kumar, Director, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) said, “With the large quantities of gold consumed in the country, it is up to us to ensure it is pure and of good value.” He added, “BIS is now mandatory for all jewellers participating in the event. Presently, Tamil Nadu has 1,100 jewellers with a BIS licence.”