

KOCHI: Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem launched the third edition of the Kerala Gold and Jewellery Business show (KGJS 2010) at the Le Meridien Convention Centre here on Saturday.
KGJS 2010 is being organised by The Art of Jewellery magazine in association with the Department of Industries and Commerce, All-Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants Association (AKGSMA), Jewellery Manufacturers Association (JMA), World Gold Council (WGC) and All-India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation (GjF).
The three-day exhibition will feature a gold and diamond ornament exhibition and a pavilion for allied equipment and machinery, demonstrating Kerala’s craftsmanship and potential. Besides, there will be trade seminars, buyer-seller meets, fashion shows and an awards function.
Unveiling the trade show, Kareem said KGJS 2010 offers a new world of opportunities for the local manufacturers and retailers to imbibe the latest trends in design and technology and interact with one another. It also helps create several additional job opportunities.
Business delegates consisting of wholesale dealers, manufacturers, exporters, designers, artisans, bullion dealers, policy-makers and government officials, bankers and financiers visited the show.
Nearly 125 exhibitors are present in the show, and are highly optimistic of generating positive response. For the first time, a Thai pavilion has been included to offer an international perspective to visitors.
Additional Chief Secretary T Balakrishnan presided over the function. K Babu MLA was the chief guest. Sumesh Wadhera, managing director and chief editor, The Art of Jewellery, V Venu, Tourism Secretary, TO Sooraj, director, Industries and Commerce, C Vinod Hayagriv, chairman, GjF, B Girirajan, state president, AKGSMA, Ahmed Ahamedy Manzor Hamauda, Mr. Universe, CS Ajay Kumar, president, JMA, Vichai Assarasarorn, president, Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association, Somchai Phronchindarak, CEO, Banghok Gems and Jewellery Fair and PV Jose, convener, KGJS 2010 spoke.