GJEPC Showcases Jewellery Excellence at Inaugural SAJEX 2025 in Jeddah
Jeddah — The Saudi Arabia Jewellery Exposition (SAJEX 2025), the first-ever dedicated B2B gems and jewellery exhibition in the Kingdom, was inaugurated on Saturday at the iconic Jeddah Superdome....
Jeddah — The Saudi Arabia Jewellery Exposition (SAJEX 2025), the first-ever dedicated B2B gems and jewellery exhibition in the Kingdom, was inaugurated on Saturday at the iconic Jeddah Superdome. Organized by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) with the support of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, the Embassy of India in Riyadh, and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah, the Ministry of Investment, Saudi Arabia, the exposition marks a new chapter in bilateral trade and cultural exchange between India and Saudi Arabia. The show is being held from 11th to 13th September 2025.
The show is Powered by IGI and further supported by Jeddah Chamber, Makkah Chamber, The Jeddah Jewellery Association, Dubai Jewellery Group, and Gold Centre, with Arabian Horizon as the official destination management company.
The inauguration of SAJEX 2025 was graced by an esteemed gathering of dignitaries from India and Saudi Arabia, reflecting the strong spirit of partnership between the two nations. The ceremony saw the presence of Eng. Fahad Al Jubairy, Assistant Deputy Minister for Industrial Investment at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia; Her Royal Highness Princess Nourah Al-Faisal – Designer, Entrepreneur, and Industry Leader; H.E. Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Mr. Siddharth Mahajan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India; Mr. Khalid A. Al-Sheddi, General Manager, Investors Relations, Ministry of Investment, Saudi Arabia; Mr. Faleh Almutairi, Director, International Relations, Saudi General Authority of Foreign Trade; Mr. Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri, Consul General of India in Jeddah; Mr. Ali Saleh Batarfee Al Kindi, Head of Gold Council; Mr. R. Arulanandan, Director, Department of Commerce, Govt. of India; Mr. Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC; Mr. Nilesh Kothari, Convener, International Exhibitions, GJEPC; and Mr. Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC. Their presence highlighted the mutual commitment to fostering deeper investment, trade, and cultural ties in the gems and jewellery sector.
SAJEX marks a new chapter in India–Saudi trade relations, arriving at a time when bilateral economic ties are expanding at record pace. India-Saudi trade touched USD 42 billion in FY 2024–25, with India now the Kingdom’s second-largest trading partner and Saudi Arabia its fifth-largest partner. Gems and jewellery is a recognised pillar of India’s exports to the Kingdom, alongside engineering goods, food, textiles, and chemicals.
India’s gem and jewellery exports to Saudi Arabia rose 45% in 2024-25 to USD 151.5 million, led by a 55% jump in studded gold jewellery. With Saudi Arabia’s jewellery market projected to nearly double to USD 8.34 billion by 2030, SAJEX offers a timely platform for Indian exporters to present their craftsmanship, designs, and innovations tailored for the Kingdom’s discerning consumers.
In his message about the first ever India’s gem & jewellery show in Saudi Arabia Mr. Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, stated, “India and Saudi Arabia have long shared a relationship founded on trust, energy cooperation, trade and people-to-people ties. Saudi Arabia remains one of India’s largest trading partners in the Gulf region. In this context, SAJEX stands out as a timely and significant platform that will not only strengthen commercial ties but also open new avenues for collaboration in design, innovation and market access.”
SAJEX 2025 features 100+ exhibitors across 200 booths, with participation from India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Hong Kong, and Lebanon. The three-day event is expected to attract more than 2,000 international trade buyers, showcasing the full spectrum of jewellery, from diamond and coloured gemstones to 18k, 21k, 22k gold, platinum jewellery, lab-grown diamonds, prêt and bridal collections, gifting jewellery, and advanced jewellery technology.
Highlighting the significance of this collaboration, Mr. Jitin Prasada, Hon’ble Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Government of India noted in a statement that, “This landmark initiative will further strengthen the deep-rooted ties between our two nations and open new avenues of collaboration in the gems and jewellery sector. It is a great initiative towards exploring and expanding new markets.”
At the heart of the exposition was the Global Jewellery Investment Forum, organised by GJEPC and supported by the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA). The forum brought together government leaders, investors, global brands, and industry experts to explore avenues of collaboration and growth for the gem & jewellery sector in the GCC. Discussions were structured across three key sessions: Investment Prospects for the Gem & Jewellery Industry, which examined how India and Saudi Arabia can facilitate seamless global trade; Retail & Manufacturing, focused on co-creating innovative jewellery designs, products, and retail solutions for GCC consumers; and Labs & Associations, which highlighted the role of gemmological labs and trade bodies in harmonizing the market, driving consumer awareness, and building trust through certification and best practices. Collectively, the sessions underscored opportunities for bilateral investment, strengthening of industry standards, and the creation of a robust ecosystem that promotes transparency, innovation, and sustainable growth.
H.E. Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during the exhibition said, “SAJEX is a landmark event. This is the first big gems and jewellery exhibition that we are organising in partnership with Saudi Arabia. It will open the doors to more trade, collaborations, investments, and partnership. India and Saudi Arabia are very strong partners across various sectors, particularly in the economic sector. Initiatives such as these also strengthen the overall economic and strategic partnership between our countries. I see a great interest and support from all our Saudi interlocutors — various ministries, Chambers of Commerce, businessmen — for this initiative, and I think it’s a new beginning. In the years to come, this event itself will become much, much bigger and will be a big catalyst towards collaborations and partnerships.
Saudi Arabia, with its USD 1.1 trillion GDP, is the Gulf’s largest economy and a rapidly expanding luxury retail market. Its jewellery sector is projected to almost double from USD 4.56 billion in 2024 to USD 8.34 billion by 2030, driven by young consumers, urbanisation, and rising demand for design-led products.
Her Royal Highness Princess Nourah Al-Faisal – Designer, Entrepreneur, and Industry Leader said, “I’m especially delighted to be with our partners from India, who have stood by me in business for over 30 years—we are truly fortunate to have you. It makes perfect sense to build an ecosystem closer to home that fosters creativity and collaboration. Our youth are incredibly talented, dedicated, and full of potential, but they need the right support—educational, industrial, and more—to unlock it. India’s deep expertise and experience in this industry make it the ideal partner to help us build that infrastructure. Together, we can create new opportunities, open pathways, and empower a new generation of designers to achieve their dreams.”
Mr. Faleh Almutairi, Director, International Relations, Saudi General Authority of Foreign Trade said, “SAJEX is not only a celebration of jewellery and craftsmanship but also a bridge of collaboration between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and India. I firmly believe it will be mutually beneficial, opening new doors for trade, investment, and cultural exchange that strengthen the bonds between our nations and elevate the global jewellery industry.”
Speaking on the occasion Mr. Siddharth Mahajan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India said, “Over the years, India and Saudi Arabia have nurtured a close and dynamic relationship, strengthened by thriving economic ties and a vibrant Indian community of nearly 2.7 million people in the Kingdom. This strong people-to-people connection serves as a powerful bridge, fostering mutual understanding and contributing significantly to Saudi Arabia’s development. In FY 2024-25, bilateral trade between our nations stood at USD 42 billion, supported by strategic investments in energy cooperation and joint ventures across diverse sectors. SAJEX is being organized at an opportune time, providing a platform to further deepen collaboration in the gems and jewellery sector, unlocking new opportunities for shared growth and prosperity.”
Mr. Khalid A. Al-Sheddi, General Manager, Investors Relations, Ministry of Investment, Saudi Arabia said, “Saudi Arabia today represents one of the most dynamic jewellery markets in the Middle East. This momentum creates exceptional opportunities for partnership with India’s global leadership in gems and jewellery, offering a natural alignment between Indian craftsmanship and Saudi demand. SAJEX is more than a showcase of beauty and creativity; it is a true B2B platform where businesses from Saudi Arabia, India, and around the world can come together to explore synergies, exchange expertise, and build long-term partnerships that generate prosperity for all.”
Mr. Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri, Consul General of India in Jeddah, expressed his thoughts by saying “I am especially pleased to note that the inaugural year’s exhibition features a dedicated Jewellery Investment Forum, which opens extensive opportunities for collaboration in design, technology, and capital investment. SAJEX 2025 will inspire new partnerships, strengthen economic linkages, and showcase the spirit of friendship between India and Saudi Arabia.”
India, the world’s leading supplier of gems and jewellery with USD 28.7 billion exports in FY 2024–25, sees SAJEX as a catalyst to deepen trade and investment linkages with the Kingdom.
Mr. Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, pointed out that, “The jewellery market in Saudi Arabia is expanding at a remarkable pace, with estimates suggesting it will reach USD 8.34 billion by 2030. As the Gulf’s largest economy, with a GDP of USD 1.1 trillion, Saudi Arabia is fast emerging as a key player in the global luxury and retail landscape. SAJEX represents a significant step towards deepening India-Saudi collaboration, creating new opportunities for trade, innovation, and industry leadership, while strengthening ties and unlocking the full potential of the jewellery sector in the region and beyond.”
To which Mr. Nilesh Kothari, Convener, International Exhibitions, GJEPC, added“SAJEX marks an important milestone in the partnership between India and Saudi Arabia. As Indian jewellers engage with Saudi buyers, we are not only showcasing exquisite craftsmanship but also building cultural bridges rooted in trust and mutual appreciation. This event sets the stage for enduring connections and new collaborations in the evolving jewellery landscape.”
SAJEX 2025 has set the stage for a new era of collaboration between India and Saudi Arabia, blending India’s legacy of craftsmanship with the Kingdom’s vision of becoming a global hub for luxury and innovation. By fostering enduring trade partnerships, encouraging investment, and celebrating cultural exchange, the exposition reflects the shared commitment of both nations to shape the future of the global gems and jewellery industry.
