Diamond Industry Organizations: GJEPC

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) is semi-governmental organization, set up by the Indian Ministry of Commerce in 1966. GJEPC serves as the umbrella organization of India’s precious gems and jewelry industry. It was one of a number of Export Promotion Councils launched by the Indian Government to boost the country’s exports, as India’s economy began making forays into the international markets.

While the main focus of the Mumbai headquartered GJEPC is to promote exports of gems and jewelry, over the years it has become the organization representing the Indian diamond industry in public forums. It takes part in diamond industry wide discussions and is present at the World Diamond Conference. It is further involved in the World Diamond Council and other global forums, bringing the voice of India’s diamond sector to the table.

GJEPC represents some 6,000 exporters across a broad range of industry activities. As the umbrella organization of the gems and jewelry export industry in India, the GJEPC also represents the industry to the Indian government. It brings to the government’s attention issues that require the government’s help, seeking its help to resolve them. These issues relate to taxation, regulations, or far more sweeping measures that need governmental intervention.

To that end, the GJEPC represents the industry seeking policy intervention. GJEPC also plays an advisory role when the government calls upon it for information or advice on matters related to the gems and jewelry industry internationally.

Its promotional activities include organizing a number of trade shows, the important among them being the India International Jewellery Show (IIJS), the largest diamond, gem, and jewelry trade fair in the country, and one of the most important such international trade shows.

The GJEPC has also organized trade shows in other countries, such as the Global Gem & Jewellery Fair (GGJF) in Dubai to showcase India’s diamond and jewelry industry. GJEPC also organizes India Pavilions at the leading international industry trade shows, again, to showcase the country’s output. These pavilions make it easier for smaller companies to exhibit by getting bulk discounts and providing marketing for these companies to attract potential clients.

The organization’s activities also extend to promotion of the global industry. One such activity includes The Mines to Market conferences that have served as important platforms of interaction and exchange of ideas between the main stakeholders of the industry.

Some of the most important activities of the GJEPC are data related. The GJEPC is responsible for tracking import and export information on polished and rough diamonds, among other things. That includes both publishing international trade statistics, as well as collecting and tracking the important Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) data. The latter is an important system in place to combat the trade in conflict diamonds.

A crucial aspect of the GJEPC’s work relates to various measures undertaken to upgrade, upskill and generally improve the industry’s standards and products. The GJEPC has set up various institutes across the country to execute that goal, foremost among them the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ). IIGJ provides high-quality training for artisans and designers in the industry.

Another such organization established and operating under the aegis of the GJEPC is the Gemmological Institute of India (GII), which has a number of branches throughout the country. It provides grading of gems as well as conducts research and provides training.

Finally, GJEPC annually recognizes people and companies that helped promote the industry, holding the annual India Gem & Jewellery Awards. It recognizes the achievements and excellence of the leading companies within the industry. Among the award categories are Woman Entrepreneur and the Most Socially Responsible Company.