JEWELLERY

Introduction

The gems and jewellery sector plays a significant role in the Indian economy, contributing around 7 per cent to country’s GDP and 15 per cent to India’s total merchandise export. It employs over 4.64 million people, which is expected to reach 8.23 million by 2022. One of the fastest growing sectors, it is extremely export oriented and labour intensive.

Based on its potential for growth and value addition, the Government declared gems and jewellery sector as a focus area for export promotion. The Government has undertaken various measures recently to promote investment and upgrade technology and skills to promote ‘Brand India’ in the international market.

India is deemed to be the hub of the global jewellery market because of its low costs and availability of high-skilled labour. India is the world’s largest cutting and polishing centre for diamonds, with the cutting and polishing industry being well supported by Government policies. Moreover, India exports 75 per cent of the world’s polished diamonds as per statistics from the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). India’s Gems and Jewellery sector has been contributing in a big way to the country’s foreign exchange earnings (FEEs). Government has viewed this sector as a thrust area for export promotion. The Indian Government presently allows 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the sector through the automatic route. The sector employs over 4.64 million employees, which is expected to touch 8.23 million by 2022.

Market size

India’s gems and jewellery sector is one of the largest in the world, contributing 29 per cent to the global jewellery consumption. The sector is home to more than 300,000 gems and jewellery players. Its market size will grow by US$ 103.06 billion during 2019-2023.

India’s demand for gold reached 690.4 tonnes in 2019. India’s gems and jewellery export stood at US$ 29.01 billion in FY20P. During the same period, India exported US$ 18.66 billion worth of cut and polished diamonds, thereby contributing 64 per cent of the total gems and jewellery export.

India’s import of gems and jewellery stood at US$ 24.01 billion in FY20P.

India is one of the largest exporters of gems and jewellery and the industry is considered to play a vital role in the Indian economy as it contributes a major chunk to country’s foreign reserves. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) will steer India’s gold demand going forward.

source:IBEF