India Gem & Jewelry Exports Down 17% to $38.3 Billion
January 30, 13
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Cut and polished diamond exports during the period are expected to fall 37.3 percent to $17.1 billion from the $27.2 billion the previous year, according to Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) Chairman Vipul Shah.
Shah attributed the decline to a 2 percent import duty that the government imposed on polished diamonds.
Shah noted however, that Indian exports of polished diamonds to the
GJEPC Vice Chairman Pankaj Parekh observed that the high price of gold pushed silver to the forefront as the preferred metal – a trend that he expects would solidify over the coming year. Silver would also gain favor as the metal of choice for investment, he noted. Silver exports are expected to grow by 20-30 percent over the coming year.
Shah expects the gem and jewelry to grow during 2013, noting that the drop in diamond sales had bottomed out and a better market is expected.
The U.S. is expected to be the primary market for Indian gem and jewelry exports over the next year followed by China, other Asian countries and the Middle East, Shah said in reply to a question.