The increased level of participation at Basel 2000 would however, be subject to the permission of the show organisers, who are expected to convey their opinion next month to both, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and the Indian Trade Promotion Council (ITPO).

After the Indian jewellery's entry at Basel 1999 in March this year, the industry had represented to the Basel authorities for more space to be made available to the Indian jewellery sector, more so because of its tremendous progress over the last 10 years. According to GJEPC's Exhibition Committee Convener Sanjay Kothari "India's entry into Basel show in March 1999 was the result of special efforts made by the ITPO".

Earlier last month, Basel's division managerYvonne Hageli visited India to study the Indian jewellery industry and their request for a larger floor space at the forthcoming exhibition.

Prior to March 1999, India was not allowed to participate, but the organisers later on agreed to allow Indian firms to participate and had accordingly, allotted some 260 square meters of space for India. Of this, about 110 square meters were available for the jewellery sector and the balance was used by two Indian producers of watches--HMT and Titan. Though more than 20 jewellery firms had then shown their willingness to participate, only nine of them could be accommodated".

Basel's Hageli visited Indian jewellery makers in Delhi, Jaipur and Mumbai. In Mumbai, she visited some 10 units in the SEEPZ and one in the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA). Says Kothari: "Hagel was impressed by the Indian jewellery manufacturing standards and the competitive prices offered by the Indian industry".

During discussions, the need for more space for the Indian jewellery sector wasemphasised to accommodate more exhibitors. Hageli indicated that Basel fair authorities would soon take a favourable decision and the exact area that could be allotted to the Indian jewellery sector would be conveyed later to the ITPO and GJEPC.

Kothari is confident that if India gets at least three times more space all intending participants can be accommodated and help them to hold trade related discussions with more clients.

Basel authorities do not allow counter-sales. Participants can take orders from visiting clients and supply the goods to them later.

At the Basel 2000, the Indian industry proposes to organise an audio visual presentation of the Indian jewellery as well as a fashion show for the benefit of international buyers of Indian jewellery. The cost of participation per unit would be around Rs five lakh, plus equal amount for air travel and accommodation of personnel at the show.