Industries Minister Kareem to open 'Jewellery Show'

Kochi, Nov 13 (UNI) Kerala Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem would inaugurate a three-day 'Kerala Gem&Jewellery Show--2008' here tomorrow.

The show, which would be a 'business-to-business' event, would have more than 150 stalls with three pavilions focussing on gold, diamond and allied and machinery, All Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants' Association President P T Cherian told a press conference here today.

The show assumes significance as over 500 kg of gold ornaments were manufactured everyday in Kerala and there were more than 5,000 retailers in the State, he said.

The show is organised by Jewellery Magazine 'The Art of Jewellery' in association with All Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants Association, Jewellery Manufacturing Association (Kerala), World Gold Council and presented by the state government's Industries and Commerce department.

educational trade seminars and jewellery design competitions would be held to highlight the nuances of the art of jewellery as part of the show, Mr Cherian said.

He said the sector provides direct and indirect employment to over two lakh people and Thrissur district was one of the largest jewellery manufacturing hubs in south India having around 3,000 large and medium-size jewellery manufacturers.

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