Gems, jewellery exports dip 9 per cent

The exports stood at Rs 2,89,207.47 crore in 2016-17, according to data by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) of India.

The demand from the UAE declined by 27 per cent to Rs 66,862.98 crore during FY18, compared with Rs 91,458.57 crore in the previous year, on a 5 per cent value added tax (VAT) imposed in the UAE in January, it said. Major export destinations for the gems and jewellery sector in 2017-18 were Hong Kong with 33 per cent, followed by the UAE with 25 per cent and the US at 23 per cent.

Silver jewellery, coloured gemstones pearls, synthetic stone, costume fashion jewellery and gold medallion were impacted, according to the report.

The exports in the sector was primarily driven by the cut and polished diamonds (CPD) segment, which witnessed an increase of 0.18 per cent to Rs 1,52,961.38 crore in FY18, compared with Rs 1,52,682.59 crore in FY17. 

The total volume of CPD were at 348.60 lakh carats during 2017-18, compared with 322.13 lakh carats in 2016-17. The gold jewellery exports registered a growth of 6.71 per cent growth to Rs 62,387.48 crore in FY18, against Rs 58,464.92 crore in FY17, while the exports of silver jewellery decreased by 18.91 per cent to Rs 21,830.76 in FY18, compared with Rs 26,923.25 crore in FY17.