Hall of Famer emerges victorious at the prestigious Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby 2017

~The Derby enjoys a total prize purse of 3 crore, with the winner taking home

Rs. 1.66 crore along with the trophy ~

Mumbai, February 5, 2017:

Kingfisher Ultra, synonymous with high fashion and ‘Good Times’ celebrated a successful year of magnificent racing events in the country. After gaining high popularity in the first edition, Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby raised the stakes at the second edition that was held in Mumbai, with its great line-up of thoroughbreds and attendance of the cities crème-da-la-crème.

Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby the grand finale Sunday featured a power-packed and majestic line-up of 3-year-old thoroughbred colts, geldings, and fillies on the racetrack climaxing with the blue-riband race.

   

Hall of Famer kept her date with destiny in one of the most anticipated events of the Indian horse racing calendar - the Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby, 2017. A captivated crowd was enthralled by the heart-stopping performance by star filly, who settled in the lead shortly after the start.. Once in the straight, Hall of Famer stepped up pace and showed fine acceleration to stretch out finishing on strongly winning by a length amidst loud cheers from the supportive crowd. Hall of Famer was the pre-race second favourite to win the Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby and she lived up to the expectations with a fine display of speed and stamina. The filly literally outclassed the opposition to win the most prestigious race of the season.

Mr. Shekhar Ramamurthy, Managing Director, United Breweries Limited, Mr. Samar Singh Sheikhawat, Senior Vice President, Marketing, United Breweries Ltd. along with Mr. Vivek Jain, Chairman, RWITC were at the presentation podium to hand out the trophy to winning connections. The Winner was trained by S. Padmanabhan and was ably ridden by Jockey David Allan. The Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby weekend was a spectacular arena for entertainment of sports and featured various artists such as: DJ Leona, who hosted the opening ceremony for the derby. The parade was led by the Cuban brothers on the track along with carnival dancers. The Derby came to an end with a scintillating performance by popular progressive Indi-Pop, band Maadhyam.

  

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Samar Singh Sheikhawat, Senior Vice President, Marketing, United Breweries Ltd said, “We are very excited to continue the partnership with RWITC as the sponsors for the second edition of the Indian Derby. The Ultra Derby weekend brought together sports and entertainment in a format that has never been seen before in the city. I would also like to thank and congratulate the horse owners & breeders, jockeys and RWITC for making this a memorable event.”

The top three finishers in the Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby -2017 are:

Sl.no	Horse name	Owner	Trainer	Jockey
	Hall of Famer	Tegbir Brar	S. Padmanabhan	David Allan
	Serjeant at Arms	K.N. Dhunjibhoy and Vispi Patel	S. Attohahi	A. Sandesh
	Temerity	Shyam Ruia	P. Shroff	N. Rawal

             

The Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby 2017 made for a perfect weekend with an amalgamation of entertainment and fashion, infused with a dash of adrenaline! The racing event saw the well-heeled and illustrious names of the city celebrate the sport and soak into the spirit of the game.

In the past, Kingfisher has crowned the best equine athlete and has been seen as an example of a great lifestyle sporting event in India. It attracts the best of the jockeys and the finest horses from across the world that train vigorously to compete for the coveted prize and provide an enthralling on-track experience. The second edition of the Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby took forward the resplendent legacy, focusing on the best thoroughbreds, equestrian enthusiasts and the most fashionable soiree of the city.

Sunny Leone adds to the thrill at the second edition of the Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby in Mumbai

 A carnival of entertainment, racing, fun, music, Bollywood: MORE THAN A RACE

Mumbai, February 4, 2017:

KINGFISHER ULTRA INDIAN DERBY partnered by Signature Packaged Drinking Water, the year’s most awaited event in Mumbai, raised the stakes with the best entertainment a weekend can offer. As always, the year’s most awaited event is high on fashion, sport and entertainment.  

Actress Sunny Leone graced the pre-derby celebrations and shook a leg with singer Lucky Ali. She gave away prizes to the winners of the evening races today at the RWITC.

In an exclusive video which she shared on her social media handle, Sunny Leone said, “I am thrilled to be part of the season’s most awaited racing event and carnival celebrations that Mumbai will ever witness”. She also invited everyone to join her at this biggest celebration where sports meets fashion & entertainment.    

Saturday evening at the RWITC had a fantastic turn out of Mumbaikars for the Derby carnival and the evening races - seen enjoying an array of fun activities, indulging their taste buds at the Yellow Festival Café @UltraDerby. DJ Willy and Kingfisher Ultra kept the spirits high between each race.

The draws on Friday evening firmed up the post positions for the big day on Sunday.

Mumbai to host maritime spectacle from March 3-5

Procam International Creates History by Launching a Global Powerboat Racing Series

Nexa is Title Sponsor for inaugural Grand Prix of the Seas series

FEBRUARY 2, 2017: Torchbearers of the distance running revolution in the country, anchored by the Mumbai marathon, the sixth largest distance running event race globally, Procam International is now extending their dominion from land to the maritime world by launching the Nexa P1 Powerboat, Indian Grand Prix of the Seas. With the hum and throttle of engines along the shorelines of Mumbai’s natural amphitheater – Marine Drive – through the weekend of 3^rd March 2017, this new sporting paradigm will redefine India’s maritime landscape and spearhead a powerful movement for marine sustainability.

The Nexa P1 Powerboat, Indian Grand Prix of the Seas, which will be conducted on the first-ever course on water, comparable to a race track, challenges status quo and combines the best in innovative technology and bespoke maritime strategy.

The Grand Prix of the Seas is the brainchild of P1 Global, the world’s leading maritime motor sports brand in partnership with Procam International and the coming together of Indian and global institutions, partners, federations, governments, agencies and sponsors, reinforced by the endorsement of the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the global governing federation to create a truly unique experience that will infuse within the ecosystem a joy of water.

NEXA’s association with Procam as the Title Sponsor of the P1 Powerboat, Indian Grand Prix of the Seas fits the premium brand image of NEXA, with both offering new and exciting experiences to consumers. NEXA is a lifestyle destination brand, which caters to not just automotive buying experience but also builds a lifestyle experience for its consumers just like P1, the sport, which encapsulates vibrant experiences.

The Government of Maharashtra, the Mumbai Port Trust, and the Indian Navy, the fifth-largest navy in the world supports this initiative. The event is being conducted under the auspices of the Maharashtra Tourism and Development Corporation (MTDC) and implemented under the aegis of the Yachting Association of India (YAI), while being sanctioned by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM). The Government of India and the Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs have also extended their full support..

Anil Singh, Managing Director, Procam International said, “We are privileged to partner with P1 Global, where we are seeding a global sport structure from Mumbai. Procam created a national movement in running, and now we are aiming to create a global movement on water.  With the Nexa P1 Powerboat, Indian Grand Prix of the Seas, sports fans will experience the joy of watching the fastest men and women on sea competing on the world’s first-ever course on water. We are thankful to the Indian and global institutions, federations, governments, agencies and sponsors who are partnering with us, and will be indebted to them for their support.”

Supporting this global innovation in Maritime Racing, the President of Off-Shore Commission, UIM, Jean Marie Van Lancker said, “It’s a matter of great pride for the UIM to be associated with the inaugural edition of the Nexa P1 Powerboat, Indian Grand Prix of the Seas. The global spotlight will be on Mumbai as it makes history by launching the debut race of the world championship series. The sheer enormity of this race and its many firsts will make it a worldwide phenomenon and re-define the parameters of powerboat racing.The UIM extends its full support to Procam International and all its partners to make this edition a resounding success.”

Global Partners to the event, P1 Global Chairman, Asif Rangoonwala said, “ Powerboat P1 in partnership with Procam International are delighted to announce the launch of the Nexa P1 Powerboat, Indian Grand Prix of the Seas. This debut race is the culmination of six years of dedicated work in developing a new series that delivers a clear and logical structure, which celebrates the best powerboat racers in the world and redefines sport in the maritime ecosystem. Having reached the launch stage, it was vitally important to secure a race venue befitting the scale of this achievement and we believe that Mumbai, a world-class city in so many ways, is the ideal base for the start of this new journey. I have always marveled at the splendour of Marine Drive and am glad that this natural amphitheater will be brought to life with our P1 powerboats racing centre-stage for millions of fans of this sport.”

THE RACE

Nexa P1 Powerboat, India Grand Prix of the Seas, is the first of the UIM recognized Grand Prix of the Seas.  The 5-tier hierarchal structure will consist of a World Cup at the apex (to be held biennially starting in 2020) the Grand Prix of the Seas series, which will define a World Champion, inter-continental series, national series and regional series in orders of level of competition.

The race weekend for the Indian Grand Prix of the Seas will have 7 teams competing, with every team comprising of two P1 Panther powerboats, each manned by a pilot and navigator competing in identical boats along a 5.2 km defined race track, the first ever on water. The podium teams will be decided by the combined best times of both boats based on the skills of the team’s pilots and navigators post two races on March 4, Saturday, and one Grand Final on Sunday, March 5^th. With the best pilots and navigators from the world participating in this event, the race weekend will also be witness to the first-ever sport in India that has male and female as equal participants, with skill and strategy deciding the winner.

P1 PANTHER 

A 28-foot powerboat powered by a 250 HP engine, reaches a maximum speed of 120 km/hr on water, an equivalent of 240 km/hr on land.

With a low centre of gravity providing greater stability and improved handling, the P1 Panther is also designed to race in just 6 feet of water resulting in a fan-friendly, close-to-shore racing experience.

The P1 Panther has been specially designed to make this a truly green racing event. With low emissions, it is unbeatable on clean and quiet performance and has been given the Clean Air Excellence Award by the EPA. The boat has been certified under EU standards and has a 3-STAR CARB rating which means 65% fewer emissions than 1-STAR engines. It emits less noise and no smoke, uses less fuel and requires no oil changes thanks to the advanced fuel and oil injection system

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

An event of this magnitude is not possible without the unstinted support from its partners and sponsors who have extended their faith in the sport. Partners include the Maruti  Suzuki’ new premium sales channel, NEXA, as the Title Sponsor. Speaking on the association, Mr. R S Kalsi, Executive Director, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki said, “We are delighted to associate with NEXA P1 Powerboat Racing in its inaugural year.  At NEXA, we are committed to offer hospitality that pampers and technology that’s innovative for our consumers. NEXA is at the forefront of bringing innovation & delivering outstanding experiences which are new and exciting, just like P1 Powerboat Racing which builds experiences based on high adrenaline action and superior technology”

  

Other partners include:

Trident Hotel as Hospitality Partner that offers panoramic views of Marine Drive & the Queen's Necklace;

India’s largest English daily, The Times of India as Print Partner;

Radio Mirchi as Radio Partner;

The world’s largest container shipping company, Maersk, as Shipping Partner;

The Patient and Family Centric, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital, as Medical Partner; Nautica, the water inspired global lifestyle brand, as Style Partner;

Mahindra Marine as Boat Building Partner;

Sony ESPN as the Broadcast Partner.

LIVE TELECAST on SONY ESPN and SONY PIX

Nexa P1 Powerboat, Indian Grand Prix of the Seas, will be telecast live globally and promises to deliver the most comprehensive coverage in the history of powerboating. Seeding a global sport from India, the Nexa P1 Powerboat, Indian Grand Prix of the Seas will set a global benchmark for the telecast of the sport and the entertainment around it.

The telecast repertoire includes 9 hours of LIVE programming on SONY ESPN & SONY Pix over the race weekend, content that will be produced by Initium Productions and Emmy Award recognized British director, Westbury Gillet. The production will also be the result of synergies between global, hi-tech crew and equipment flown in from 3 continents. Another global first for the sport is the introduction of the 'second screen', a gamified graphics interface to be followed live on an internet-connected device for real-time access to gamified positions, telemetric race data & analytics in addition to the television broadcast.

JOY OF WATER

The Joy Of Water Foundation (which is being set up in India) is set-up with the aim of safeguarding and restoring the marine and coastal environment by raising awareness through education and effective partnerships with a mission to deliver inspiring programs that engage understanding of the value of marine life together with increased personal responsibility, particularly amongst young people.

RACE VILLAGE – Brought to life by Bennett Colman & Co. Ltd

The high-octane action on water will be complemented by a Race Village from March 3-5, at the Wilson Gymkhana Grounds on Marine Drive. The Race Village, a BCCL initiative, promises an exciting experience, complete with games, celebrity events and elite hospitality.

The weekend will also be interspersed with various exhilarating attractions, including a Naval display and performances by Zapata & Jet Ski World Champions.

Kiwi Scholars tour India

New Delhi, January 25, 2017: India is currently playing host to recipients of New Zealand’s Prime Minister Scholarship for Asia (PMSA). Two groups of students, one comprising nine Ara Institute of Canterbury business students, and another 20 Fashion, Textile and Business students from Massey University, are spending four to six weeks in India as part of this scholarship. PMSA is a prestigious programme funded by the New Zealand government and administered by Education New Zealand (ENZ). Over 750 scholarships have been awarded for study across Asian countries since 2013. PMSA is designed to encourage New Zealand students to study in Asian countries and experience the benefits of international education for themselves.

Speaking about the awards, John Laxon, Regional Director – South South East Asia and Middle East says, “These scholarships reinforce the New Zealand Government’s commitment to India and our education relationship. Building on New Zealand’s status as a top destination for Indian students, these scholarships are creating partnerships with prestigious Indian education institutions and between the future leaders of both countries. We congratulate the institutions and students on the success of these tours.”

Education New Zealand hosted nine PMSA recipients from Ara Institute of Canterbury at the New Zealand High Commission last week for an interactive session that was chaired by Acting High Commissioner, Suzannah Jessep. Also present at the interaction were faculty members from Jaipuria and Ara Institute. The business school scholars from Ara are spending six weeks attending series of classroom lectures at their Indian partners Jaipuria Institute of Management in Noida and KCT Business School, Coimbatore to develop a better understanding of the business environment in India, focusing on aspects like entrepreneurship and the Indian rural economy amongst others. Whilst in India they will also be visiting local business establishments, including dairies, textile mills and start-ups.

Earlier this week ENZ also hosted a project presentation at the New Zealand High Commission showcasing creations by 20 Massey University PMSA awardees and 20 creative arts students from National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi. The project titled ‘Closing the Loop’ reflects the circular economy strategy to phase out land filling of recyclable materials by 2025. Thus, the collection highlighted initial growing and sourcing of organic fabrics and dyes through the process of fabric creation and finally creating a New Zealand inspired organically sourced Indian fashion outfit.

For the presentation students from both institutions worked in groups of four, with each group comprising of a mix of textile, fashion and business students, to produce an outfit made from sustainable and organic materials sourced in India along with a sustainable ‘business plan’ for their respective outfits.

In attendance at the event were senior faculty from Massey University and NIFT, New Delhi.

Speaking at the event Sue Prescott, Senior Lecturer and Major Coordinator for Fashion Design at Massey University said, “Through studies in fashion supply chain, traditional fashion industry methods are challenged through team design and production project where innovative and sustainable thinking           culminates in a mini collection of garments addressing real world issues such as over-consumption, global warming, ethical production processes, social enterprise and artisanal craft survival.”

About Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia 

PMSA aims to:

• Strengthen New Zealand’s ability to engage with key Asian trading partners
• Improve the international skills of the New Zealand workforce
• Improve the internationalisation of New Zealand tertiary institutions
• Increase international understanding of the strength and quality of New Zealand's education system
• Establish connections between New Zealand and other countries through participants building lifelong friendships and networks
• Strengthen New Zealanders' understanding of Asian cultures

About Education New Zealand:

Education New Zealand (ENZ) is New Zealand’s government agency for international education. ENZ works to grow awareness of New Zealand as a study destination and to support New Zealand education providers and businesses to take their services and products abroad. 

LG’s #KarSalaam initiative to salute the spirit of the Indian soldiers

[Mumbai, January 25, 2017: Nation's consumer durable major, LG Electronics India Limited is going to celebrate this 68th Republic Year of the country, with the launch of the #KarSalaam initiative, dedicated to Indian soldiers, today. The campaign invites the whole nation to come forward and send their wishes to the Indian Armed Forces.

Through this initiave, LG will salute the soldiers’ spirit of selfless contribution and service towards the country. LG is committed to walk the extra mile, providing a good life to the citizens of India. Accordingly, the company will extend their support and solidarity to our soldiers who play a great role in ensuring that we lead a fearless and good life in this country.

LG will reach out to citizens  through radio, on ground and digital  communication to capture the wishes of the citizens of India for our soldiers. The company also plans to invite people through social media platforms and encourage them to #KarSalaam (express their gratitude). All Indians are invited to post their wishes for soldiers on www.karsalaam.in . LG also seeks participation from the families of the soldiers to send their heartwarming messages to their near and dear ones who brave all odds to protect our country.

Taking this campaign forward, LG will be contributing a certain amount on every LG product purchased till 26th January towards the ‘India National Defence Fund’, which is dedicated to the welfare of soldiers.

At the launch of this campaign, Mr. Nimish Shah– Regional Business Head- Mumbai, LG Electronics India said, “We salute the spirit of our soldiers who valiantly give up their life to protect the country but hardly find an opportunity to reach out to them. Therefore, we took this initiative to bring together the citizens of India to express their gratitude to our soldiers. The selfless devotion our armed forces calls for adulation and what could be a better occasion than this Republic Day. We invite all to pour their heart out and leave no barriers to reach out to them. As a small token of our effort to salute the spirit of India,  LG will contribute a certain amount to the Armed forces welfare Fund and our citizens’ wishes would be shared to the Indian soldiers. Let’s celebrate heroism, patriotism and a good life! #KarSalaam ”

Hrithik Roshan, Aditya Thackeray, Amruta Khanvilkar, Ajinkya Rahane to grace Lokmat’s Maharashtra’s Most Stylish Awards

• Tiger Shroff, Sonali Bendre, Ashutosh Gowariker, Shalmali Kholgade, Gautam Singhania to be present
• Bevy of beauties and style icons across Maharashtra to be honored
• A Style Property created 1st time in Maharashtra for the people of Maharashtra

Mumbai, January 25, 2017:  Lokmat, Maharashtra’s and Goa’s Number 1 newspaper announces the first of its kind ‘Lokmat Maharashtra’s Most Stylish Award’ on January 31, 2017.  This award will honor the most stylish and glamorous people from entertainment, politics, sports, business amongst other categories.

This awards ceremony will be one of its kind star studded glitzy evening with celebrities and well known personalities from various walks of life. Renowned Celebrities, Corporates and politicians like Hrithik Roshan, Rishi Kapoor, Tiger Shroff, Sonam Kapoor, Amruta Khanvilkar, Sonali Bendre, Ashutosh Gowariker, Swapnil Joshi, Atul Kasbekar, Radhika Apte, Aditya Thakeray, Gauri Shinde, Shalmali Kholgade, Ajinkya Rahane, Gautam Singhania, Rana Kapoor will grace the event. The evening will be followed by cocktails and dinner.

Lokmat Maharashtra's most stylish award is a platform to celebrate Style, which is a culmination of sophistication, inherent charm and attitude. This award will honor the most stylish people in Maharashtra and has been initiated 1st time in Maharashtra for the people of Maharashtra. It will highlight the style of the state that has left an indelible mark for generations to come.

Talking about this initiative, Aniruddha Hajare, Vice President & Business Head, Events and Activation, Lokmat Media Pvt. Ltd said, “We are delighted to start this unique award to honor the most stylish and glamorous people in Mumbai and Maharashtra from fashion and other areas.  This is an endeavor to uphold the state’s progressive people and their achievements beyond the field of entertainment. This unique way  evening promises to be as attractive as our other properties - Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Award, Lokmat Infra Conclave, Lokmat Women Summit.”

Lokmat has associated with Red FM as the radio partner and RJ Malishka will be hosting the event. Over the years, the cosmopolitan state of Maharashtra has witnessed an evolution in style and Maharashtrians have positioned themselves successfully on the Global Style Map. This award is an honor platform for people beyond the entertainment category.  

Honourable CM ShriDevendraFadnavis meets CREDAI-MCHI's Mira-VirarCity Unit

January 25th, Wednesday: Members of CREDAI-MCHI 'Mira Virar Unit' met with HON CM Shri Devendra Fadnavis regarding several issues of Mira Bhayendar region yesterday. HON MLA Shri Narendra Mehta coordinated and organised the meeting to address all issues.

The chamber President Shri Ashit Shah presented several points major of which was (A) ULC MATTER and several issues faced by Developers in that regard. It is to be noted that ULC was scrapped by State govt of Maharashtra in 2007 (B)Faster approval process and ease of doing business with urban development secretary looking into the matter (C)NA permission process to be simplified (D) Redevelopment policy to be formulated for the region. 

HON CM Shri Devendra Fadnavis said "I have taken serious cognisance of the issues & suggestions, promising a positive action resulting in quick conclusion to especially in the ULC MATTER. Regarding NA, we are certain that the process will be simplified greatly. Talking on faster approvals, the UD Secretary will look into it and make necessary changes.On redevelopment policy front, we are working on the same as it is effective to public at large and we will come up with a better outcome soon. I assure the CREDAI-MCHI Mira-Virar Unit that the government in action is committed to faster development and support to ethical businesses. We will look into each matter closely and follow through."

Tejas Vyas, Secretary CREDAI-MCHI, Mira-Virar City Unit stated, “We are thankful to the Chief Minister for hearing out our suggestions and issues. He has also given us an assurance that he will get positive outcome in all our pending issues. The major issues that we face are ULC, NA permission faster approvals and redevelopment policy. CM has also promised us that under his good office and government, the business fraternity can do ethical business fearlessly. We are very happy with his positive outlook.”

Hard Rock Cafe sets foot into 2017 with its scrumptious ‘Roc-B-Que’ festival

~ Fiery BBQ menu, kickass Mojitos and the best of music to crackle up New Year 2017~

Mumbai, 24^th January, 2017: Hard Rock Cafe has set 2017 rolling with its newest offering! After having enthralled party buffs with the successful masquerade party on New Year’s Eve, the brand is set to crackle the season with its ‘Roc – B – Que’ festival.  With a tantalizing menu and a stellar music line up, Hard Rock Cafe will serve the best of grills till the 31^st of January, 2016. The waft of charred barbecue smoke paired with perfectly blended Mojitos, zesty conversations and a roster of high octane live gigs, will set the ideal mood to beat the winter chills at Hard Rock Cafe outlets across India.

The menu comprises an assortment of scrumptious fiery skewers such as Charred Hawaian Veg Skewers, Carolina Style BBQ Chicken Skewers and 7 Spiced Alfam Arabic Grilled Chicken Skewers among other vegetarian grills. The other delicacies featuring on the slate will be Spicy Texas Wings, Spicy Charred Cajun Chicken Drumstick, Smoky Chicken Slider and Smoked Chipotle BBQ Chicken Burger. Tippling concoctions like Magical Mystery, Cranberry and Malta Orange and The Legend will pose a refreshing accompaniment with the barbecue specials.

“We have kick - started the New Year with undisputed zest! We have placed some never done before styles on the F&B offering with Roc – B – Que being one of them. Also, as we celebrate our 10th Anniversary this year, we have opened doors to various other genre of entertainment to reach out to millennial. As a destination that celebrates music and lifestyle, we thought that this was the perfect season to host some of the most exciting live gigs and tribute nights. Barbeque, Mojitos and a staggering line-up; Hard Rock Cafe is already looking forward to a ‘rocking’ 2017!” commented Jay Singh, Co-founder and Executive Director, JSM Corporation.

Gigs by bone - tickling Comedians, thrilling tribute nights and a lot more brought all under one roof at Hard Rock Cafe!

India’s exports of fine jewellery to Hong Kong has doubled from 2013 to 2016: HKTDC

• Hong Kong Trade Development Council announces the world’s largest jewellery exhibition
• The world’s largest jewellery marketplace is set to open next month

Mumbai, January 24, 2017: Two of the jewellery industry’s leading trade fairs are set to open in Hong Kong in late February to early March. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the 4th Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show will take place from 28 February to 4 March at the Asia World-Expo, while the 34th Hong Kong International Jewellery Show will open from 2 to 6 March at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

India is today the largest exporter in the world of Pearls, Precious & Semi-Precious Stones to Hong Kong and second largest exporter of fine jewellery to Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s imports of fine jewellery from India had doubled from 2013 to 2016.

Rajesh Bhagat, India Consultant - HKTDC, highlighted opportunities for Indian companies offered by HKTDC during a press luncheon in Mumbai today. Mr Bhagat underscored the robust bilateral trade relations between Hong Kong and India, adding the twin jewellery shows created a good platform to boost business. “India and Hong Kong have a long and close business relationship. While India will continue to take the lead in regional economic growth, the HKTDC can act as an information and market intelligence hub for Indian enterprises to expand market,” said Mr Bhagat.

In Hong Kong, the HKTDC organises more than 30 fairs annually, forming 11 largest marketplaces of their kind in Asia, with electronics, jewellery, gifts, lighting and watches & clocks being the largest of their kind in the world. Given the strong gems and jewellery business in India, the Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show and Jewellery Show provide an ideal platform for Indian traders in jewellery field.

The two shows will welcome more than 4,380 exhibitors from over 50 countries and regions, forming the world’s largest jewellery marketplace. About 180 Indian companies such as Beads Paradise and Gold Star will join. The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council from India will continue to set up group pavilions. Other pavilions will come from the Chinese mainland, Japan, Korea, Tanzania, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the US, Peru, Columbia, Brazil and so on.

The Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show will focus in jewellery raw materials such as loose diamonds, precious stones, semi-precious stones and pearls. Well-known exhibitors include Paul Wild from Germany and Hong Kong’s Novel Collection Ltd, Man Sang Jewellery (Hong Kong) Ltd and Yee On Gems & Jewellery Factory Company Ltd. Several dedicated zones are set up for specific jewellery raw materials, including Hall of Fine Diamonds for quality diamonds; Treasures of Nature for precious gemstones; Treasures of Ocean for exquisite pearls; and Rough Stones & Minerals zone for unpolished and uncut precious stones.

The Jewellery Show will feature a wide range of finished fine jewellery. There will be a number of themed zones with the prominent Hall of Fame bringing more than 30 internationally acclaimed jewellery brands including Roberto Coin s.p.a. and Piero Milano Jewellery from Italy, Pranda Jewelry Public Co., Ltd. from Thailand, and Hong Kong’s Lady Heart Collections Ltd and Unrounds (HK) Limited. Hall of Extraordinary will house the most prestigious jewellery collections including Crivelli s.r.l. from Italy, Thomas Faerber SA from Switzerland, and Hong Kong’s Dehres, On Tung Company and Karen Suen Fine Jewellery Limited. Other zones will showcase various prestigious collections, jewellery craftsmanship, jade pieces, decorative items and machinery.

The biannual International Jewellery Design Excellence Award (IJDE) is the Oscars of the jewellery design industry with an aim to recognise outstanding jewellery designers and facilitate information exchange in design, professionalism and craftsmanship. The award gathers the champions of various jewellery design competitions worldwide to run for the champion of the champions. This year, 165 entries from 27 countries and regions have been received, of which 13 entries are from India. Award presentation ceremony will be held on the first day of the show (2 March) and winning entries will be on display at the show.

The shows will present a host of activities such as jewellery parades, seminars, forums and networking events that provide industry players with market insights and the latest intelligence.

Websites

Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem and Pearl Show: http://www.hktdc.com/hkdgp

Hong Kong International Jewellery Show: http://www.hktdc.com/hkjewelleryshow

About HKTDC
Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body dedicated to creating opportunities for Hong Kong's businesses. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China, Asia and the world. With 50 years of experience, the HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in international markets, while providing business insights and information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Google+ Twitter @hktdc LinkedIn

INORBIT MALL, MALAD CELEBRATES ITS 13THANNIVERSARY WITH CELEBRITY CHEF SANJEEV KAPOOR

Mumbai, January, 2017: Since opening of the mall at Malad in the years 2004, Inorbit has garnered a lot of love and loyalty from its customers. Known for giving the shoppers a memorable shopping experience, the iconic mall recently concluded its 13^th Anniversary celebrations. The grand celebration witnessed the presence of Celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. The chef hosted a cooking challenge where participants showcased their culinary skills to impress the chef and won attractive prizes. In addition to this the Chef Sanjeev Kapoor also showed some tips and tricks of cooking to the audience. The event witnessed a full house and was very well received by the audience.

Commenting on Inorbit Mall, Malad’s 13^th Anniversary, Mr. Puneet Varma, Associate Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Communications said, “13 years and still going strong! Kudos to the entire team of Inorbit mall, Malad. Also I would like to thank our patrons and retail partners who have believed in us and supported us throughout for over a decade. We promise to keep the smile on faces of our customers intact by providing them a better experience.

Apart from the cooking extravaganza, the mall celebrations continued for 5 days. Shoppers rejoiced shopping as the mall offered a flat 50% off on some of the best brands. No celebration is complete without a cake cutting ceremony. On the occasion, the patrons indulged in the anniversary cake cutting ceremony followed by a treasure hunt where the participants won gift vouchers. In addition to this renowned author Radhakrishnan Pillai hosted a book reading session of “Katha Chanakya”. 

Inorbit mall, Malad today has evolved as Mumbai’s most preferred shopping and entertainment experience destinations. The mall has recently got an infrastructure facelift and added a lot of new brands like H&M, Kazo, Forever New, Steve Madden, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Twelve AM PM, and Global Desi etc.to its tenant mix. 

In addition to the popular Inorbit app, there is a new facility and first of its kind in the industry, that Inorbit has introduced recently - The Shop Online feature which is available on Inorbit website and app. This assures shoppers convenience of shopping from their favorite shops at the mall from their homes with a quick delivery at their doorstep