JEDDAH — The Saudi Indian Business Network (SIBN), working under the aegis of the Consulate General of India, led a delegation of 15 Saudi businessmen to the recently concluded Ninth edition of Kerala Gem & Jewelry Show at ADLUX International Convention and Exhibition Center, Angamaly near Kochi in Kerala, India.

The 15-member delegation led by the SIBN team was perceived to be one of the strongest delegations from the Middle East.

Kerala’s Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar formally inaugurated the three-day exhibition on Dec. 1.

Jewelry manufacturers, artisans, leading designers, technology service providers, wholesalers, and retail jewelers across the country have lined up for the state’s biggest one stop B2B trade exhibition of jewelers. The three-day expo featured more than 350 stalls with amazing range of gem and jewel designs, allied items and advanced equipment and technologies.

The Nawras Seafood Restaurant, Safa Jewelers and Institute of Gems & Jewelry Designing hosted a business lunch and dinner in honor of the Saudi delegates.

Consul General Mohd. Noor Rahman Sheikh’s initiative was key to making the visit of this large delegation to the KGJS-2018 a big success. The event drew attention to abundant opportunities for Indo-Saudi business with various well-known groups showing interest in developing partnerships. Most of delegates expressed their desire to be part of the next KGJS delegation in 2019.

Kerala Gem and Jewelry Show 2018 organizers awarded Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki, general secretary of SIBN, for his contribution in promoting bilateral trade between Saudi Arabia and India. — SG