A Jewellers ensemble

To expand share of fashion jewellery in India’s export, the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is organizing the 9th edition of the three-day Indian Fashion Jewellery and Accessories Show (IFJAS-2016) at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida, NCR Delhi from July 21 to July 23, 2016. 

Over 250 manufacturers and exporters from all over the country will be showcasing the wide range of fashion jewellery and accessories to attract overseas buyers and their representatives to source their requirements under one roof, informed Dinesh Kumar, Chairman – EPCH.

He further informed that IFJAS 2016 will provide a global platform for the fashion jewellery and accessories sector to make a dent into the 16.3-billion-dollar world market and increase India’s share in this segment which is negligible at present.

Mainly focusing on fashion products like fashion and costume jewellery, scarves, beads, wallets, fancy fashion footwear and many more, IFJAS 2016 will also showcase the widest range of materials, products and designs in five categories comprising of fashion jewellery, semi precious jewellery, fashion accessories, hand bags and fancy & embroidered fashion shoes, imitation jewellery and shawls. Describing it as an important part of India’s export basket, Rakesh Kumar, ED- EPCH, stated that “India’s exports of fashion jewellery and accessories in the year 2015-16 was to the tune of Rs 2755 crores, but still its share in the world market is very less and holding of IFJAS is part of Council’s drive to promote and expand horizons of key verticals of the handicrafts sector which has tremendous potential to expand further.” 

The top importing nations for jewellery in the world are USA, Germany, UK, France, Japan, Switzerland, Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, Hong Kong, Spain, Australia, Italy and Latin American countries and India is already exporting to these markets, the ED-EPCH  added. Rakesh Kumar further said, “IFJAS would give a distinct platform to those specializing in the wide range of fashion products. A focused show for this sector, IFJAS would give exhibitors a unique opportunity to display capabilities and fully exploit their business potential.” 

The   exports of fashion jewellery and accessories from India went up from Rs 2502 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 2755 crores  in 2015-16 registering a growth of 10.10per cent  added the Executive Director. “In the earlier times, there used to be a lot of sentiments attached to jewellery which is no longer the case, we are trying to bring back those lost sentiments with these fashion jewellery,” said Rakesh Kumar. A major highlight will be setting up of Young Designers Forum for providing business opportunities to upcoming designers for fashion jewellery sector. It was also said that the major competitor of Indian fashion jewellery is China, but their products are machine made while ours are handmade. Due to this factor India is gradually growing in this market. 

This year, some famous companies from USA, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Belgium, Chile and Portugal will be importing the products on display at the exposition. Ajay Shankar Memorial awards for best designed stands in the category of fashion jewellery & accessories will also be distributed during IFJAS 2016 on July 22.