National News
Bharat Diamond Bourse and Department Of Posts Sign MOU
Foreign Post Office To Open In BDB To Facilitate, Export-Import of Precious Cargo By Post
Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) and Department of Posts (DOP), Maharashtra Circle, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a partnership aimed at facilitating shipments of precious cargo from within the Bourse premises. A Post Office extension counter that offers a range of postal services will commence operations in BDB within a month.
Under the partnership agreement, comprehensive logistics facilities will be provided to both members and non-members for shipments of domestic and international parcels. These Doorstep Logistics Services will operate with the Department of Posts as the primary logistics partner.
Services available for all within the bourse will include Speed Post, India Post Parcel, Logistics Post, Media Post, and others.
Shri Anoop Mehta, President of BDB, Said:
“BDB’s vision is to provide the best facilities for its members, and simultaneously facilitate the growth of diamond exports. The MOU is a big step in enabling smooth logistics for export-import parcels from within our premises. We believe it will help individual businesses as well as boost overall diamond exports.”
Mehul Shah, Vice President, BDB, Said:
“Opening the post office in BDB is a big milestone for small and medium traders. Reduced shipment costs will make it extremely economical. Further, there is no requirement for Customs clearing agents (CHAs). The move will also boost the e-commerce business with direct shipments from manufacturers to end consumers. Easy access to other services like speed post and parcel will make logistics easier for BDB members.”
Amitabh Singh (IPoS), Chief PMG, Maharashtra Circle, Said:
“This partnership leverages the world’s largest postal network for facilitating import and export of valuable cargo and domestic parcels of the BDB business community. It brings India Post to the doorstep of the diamond trade and connects BDB, the diamond bourse having the largest turnover worldwide, with the largest Postal network, opening a door to Global Geography.”
Other dignitaries present on the occasion of the MOU Signing included Santosh Mishra, Commissioner of Customs Zone-3, Pandurang Chormale (IPoS), Senior Superintendent of RMS, Anup Zaveri – Customs Convener BDB, and others.
National News
Gold Industry Proposes New Strategy To Cut Imports and Boost Local Economy
Precious Metals Refineries Forum (PMRF) Has Proposed A Two-Track System To Manage Gold More Efficiently
Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to reduce gold imports and foreign travel, major Indian bullion and jewellery bodies have submitted a new plan to the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The strategy aims to lower the nation’s trade deficit by tapping into the estimated 30,000 tonnes of gold sitting in Indian households.
This move comes after India’s gold imports jumped 24% to a record $71.9 billion in the 2025-26 financial year, with over 721 tonnes of gold brought into the country.
The New Strategy: Two Separate Systems
The Precious Metals Refineries Forum (PMRF) has proposed a two-track system to manage gold more efficiently:
- For Exporters: Imported gold should be strictly saved for jewellery exporters using one-year Gold Metal Loans (GML).
- For Local Buyers: Domestic demand should be met entirely by recycling household gold. This gold would be collected from citizens, refined locally, and sold back through jewellers and retailers.
Under this plan, people who deposit their idle gold could earn 2% to 2.5% interest, while businesses taking gold loans would pay an interest rate of 3% to 4%.
Fixing Why Past Schemes Failed
Previous government gold schemes failed to gain traction primarily because they left out local jewellers and lacked a proper banking structure. Without a joined-up system, institutions faced high financial risks from changing gold prices.
To fix this, trade bodies are calling for a complete system that includes:
- Direct involvement of trusted local jewellers. The schemes did not take off in the past because jewellers were not part of them. About 10% to 20% of family gold is held as bars or coins.
- Strong bank backing and secure storage vaults across the country.
- Tax incentives, such as removing the 3% GST loss when physical gold is converted into Electronic Gold Receipts (EGR), and offering income tax relief on the interest earned.
Industry Support
Industry experts say a smooth system is already possible. Collection and purity testing centres have confirmed that collected household gold can be processed within 48 hours and safely moved to secure, bank-approved vaults.
Representatives from the Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) recently held discussions with RBI officials to fast-track these changes.
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