[caption id="attachment_1225" align="alignleft" width="350" caption="FICCI conference"]<a href="http://blog.biggstock.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Ficci_convention.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1225" title="Ficci_convention" src="http://blog.biggstock.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Ficci_convention.jpg" alt="FICCI conference" width="350" height="232" /></a>[/caption]

Inaugurating  the FICCI Conference on Gemstones and Silver Jewellery, in Jaipur, on  22nd July, 2010, Mr. Rajendra Pareekh, Hon'ble Minister for Industry,  NRIs, Public Undertaking, Economics &amp; Statistics, Excise, Govt. of  Rajasthan, conveyed his message of Samarpan and Sneh – of dedication and  friendliness, for industrial and all round progress, peace and  harmony.

Mr. Pareekh called for imbibing the mantra of innovation and skill  upgradation, and emphasized the need for spreading awareness and  knowledge. Expressing confidence that the building up of  Delhi-Mumbai-Industrial Corridor would hasten the speed of economic  progress of Rajasthan, he appealed to the industry to invest in the  politically stable State of Rajasthan.

Mr. Bijou Kurien, President and Chief Executive – Lifestyle, Reliance  Retail Ltd., said: "The key driver of jewellery market is innovation".  In this connection, he cited the examples of 18 carat Tanishq Jewellery  introduced in 1995 and 22 carat Tanishq Jewellery introduced in 1997,  which have made an impact through constant innovations.

"I see a vital role for India in taking the growth of Gems &amp;  Jewellery exports from US$ 25 billion to US50 billion registering an  increase in growth from 12% to 15%. In 5 years", said Mr. Kurien. He  expected the demand for jewellery to clock 8.3% to 8.5% growth buoyed by  increasing prosperity leading to growth in people's aspirations. Mr.  Kurien informed that Government offered direct fiscal incentives to  jewellery manufacturing units in the Special Economic Zones.

Mr. Rajiv Jain, Vice-Chairman, Gem &amp; Jewellery Export Promotion  Council saw a great potential for the growth of India's gem and  jewellery market globally.   He was happy to see traditionally designed  jewellery vying with contemporarily designed jewellery. He pointed out  that this fastest growing sector worth US$28 billion has shown 16%  growth in 2009-10 in India. He lauded the industry for showing  resilience during global slowdown and remaining unaffected.

Ref: <a href="http://www.gjepc.org/news/view.aspx?NewsId=7771" target="_blank">GJEPC</a>