Nirupa Bhatt Chief Guest at Upcoming SIJS Show

MUMBAI, India – March 12, 2009 – The Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) Nirupa Bhatt, managing director, India and Middle East, will be the chief guest at the upcoming third edition of the South India Jewellery Show (SIJS). The show will be held March 14-16 at the Hotel Lalit Ashok in Bangalore.

Bhatt will speak at the show’s inauguration ceremony at 11 a.m. on March 14.

Bhatt’s long history of success in the diamond industry includes her role as GIA’s managing director for this very important part of the diamond world. Her talk will cover some of the challenges facing Indian jewellers and she will suggest some solutions.

GIA India is further participating in the show by launching some of its new courses in Bangalore, including its highly popular Accredited Jewelry Professional (A.J.P.) program, which will be held from March 23-27 at the Lalit Ashok, Kumara Krupa Road, Bangalore. In addition, GIA will offer corporate group training for top retailers.

GIA will also present a seminar, “Building Consumer Confidence” at 3 p.m. on March 15. Bhatt will be the speaker.

The SIJS is organized by the Art of Jewellery, in association with the World Gold Council and is supported by the Bangalore Jewellers Association, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), All India Gem and Jewellery Trade Federation (GJF) and all the major jewellery trade bodies of South India.

To find out more about the show, visit stall No. 117 in Hall A. To find out more about GIA India, visit www.giaindia.in.