On July 8th and 9th, the hospitality suites at Arsenal Stadium in North London hosted the inaugural Buyer-Seller Meet (BSM) organized by India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). The event was formally inaugurated by Nidhi Mani Tripathi, Hon’ble Minister (Economic) at the High Commission of India, London, along with Nilesh Kothari, Convener of International Exhibitions at GJEPC, and other key figures from the gem and jewellery industries of both nations.
A handpicked group of 25 Indian manufacturers showcased a wide range of products, including gold, silver, diamond, and gemstone jewellery, as well as loose natural and lab-grown diamonds, in private hospitality boxes with views of the football pitch. The event attracted leading UK retail and wholesale buyers, such as Brown & Newirth, Gemporia, Gemex, Allied Gold, and Optima, along with industry representatives from the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), Birmingham and Sheffield Assay Offices, and the Goldsmiths’ Company.
Highlighting the growing commercial and cultural ties between India and the UK, senior officials from India’s High Commission in London attended the inauguration, including a key negotiator involved in the recent India-UK trade deal. Speakers at the event included Sarah North from the NAJ, Olivia Tasker of Positive Luxury, Howard Levine from Diamnet, and Jake Thompson of Gemporia.
Sarah North, Business Development Advisor at NAJ, spoke about Life Cycle India, an initiative she actively supports, which helps companies achieve ethical certifications like Responsible Jewellery Council and Positive Luxury accreditation. She emphasized Life Cycle India’s work in supporting women’s welfare in India, including distributing reusable undergarments to improve hygiene, wellbeing, and educational opportunities. “It was a privilege to talk about the positive impact of Life Cycle India. The Buyer-Seller Meet was a great success, and I look forward to seeing its growth in the future,” she remarked.
NAJ CEO Ben Massey also attended and commented, “This was the first occasion to explore partnerships following the recently announced UK-India trade agreement, which eliminates import duties to the UK. We are eager to learn about the reciprocal benefits for UK exporters to India. The event also showed that many Indian suppliers have established networks in the UK, with several aiming to expand their reach, such as moving from B2B to direct-to-consumer markets.”
Several prominent manufacturers presented their collections, including Uni-Design Jewellery’s narrative-driven charm necklaces, Fine Jewellery Manufacturing’s sustainable pieces crafted with recycled metals, Walking Tree’s white-label services, and Suyasha Lunawat’s Lunaya demi-fine jewellery under Exxotic India. Zillionaire showcased trendy hip-hop jewellery for men, while ColorQ featured diamond-studded gold pieces.
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