Gujaratstartups, SURAT: A show piece event of the diamond city, Sparkle-2011 will have international participation this year as more than seven foreign exhibitors from gems and jewellery trade will exhibit their products at the four-day Gujarat government event, being organised here by South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) from January 6.

A food court, a Gujarat Tourism pavilion with 40 stalls and an artisans village will give a holistic picture about the state to the visitors coming from various parts of India and other countries.

Ajoy Bhattacharya, SGCCI president, said, "This would be the biggest Sparkle in the series as it would have 35 pavilions and 98 stalls on 11,500 sq metre area. Three sections of business to business and business to customers and machinery are clearly demarcated where 133 exhibitors will display their products."

Two seminars on best practices will be organised on January 7 in which some notable speakers of the country will present their views on subjects like ornamentation, infrastructures catalyst for growth, change management, entrepreneurship in business, premium through design and best practices for sustained growth.

S Aparna, municipal commissioner and steering committee president of Sparkle-2011, said, "It will be the biggest exhibition of its kind in the city. It would present a holistic view about Gujarat and Surat to the people."

On the evenings of January 7 and 8, there will be a jewellery fashion show by a Mumbai-based firm in which national and international jewellery firms will participate.

Organisers said at least 10,000 people are expected to visit the event, to be inaugurated by chief minister Narendra Modi. On the concluding day on January 9, an MP from the Canadian Parliament is likely to be present at the session.

Some of the foreign entries include nine stalls of Indian Jewellery Makers Association of Japan, Diacraft, Bangkok, Eclets Jewellery, Bangkok, GSI of UK, Rapaport of Israel and HRD of Antwerp, Belgium. Delegations from China, Canada, Indonesia, Singapore and some other countries have also confirmed their visit.

Organisers have made a replica of Mugalsarai SMC building at the entrance gate. They have also placed pictures depicting Surat's trade ties with other countries through its Choryasi Bandar.

Source: Times Of India