National News
CEPA completes 3 years; powering India-UAE trade and economic ties
Bilateral gem and jewellery trade surged from US$ 20.88 billion in FY2022 to US$ 28.15 billion in FY2024, reflecting a robust 35% increase
The *Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)* between *India and the UAE*, formalised on 18th February 2022, has profoundly strengthened economic ties between the two nations. As we commemorate its third anniversary, it is evident that CEPA has significantly enhanced trade opportunities, particularly for India’s gem and jewellery industry.
Since CEPA’s implementation, trade between India and the UAE has witnessed remarkable growth. The bilateral gem and jewellery trade surged from US$ 20.88 billion in FY2022 to US$ 28.15 billion in FY2024, reflecting a robust 35% increase. India’s gem and jewellery exports to the UAE also soared by over 60%, from US$ 4.95 billion in FY2022 to US$ 8.04 billion in FY2024.
Notably, UAE’s share in India’s total exports rose from 13% in FY2022 to 25% in FY2024, overtaking Hong Kong as India’s second-largest export market. This underscores the transformative impact of CEPA on India’s trade dynamics.
One of the most significant benefits of CEPA has been the duty-free access for all gem and jewellery products, including gold, silver, and platinum jewellery, along with polished diamonds and gemstones.This development has motivated Indian exporters to increase their supply of various gem and jewellery items to the UAE, capitalising on the enhanced market access provided by the agreement.
This policy shift has led to substantial growth in key export categories:
Plain Gold Jewellery: Exports surged by 127.62%, reaching US$ 4,240 million in FY2024.
Studded Gold Jewellery: Increased by over 50%, from US$ 917 million in FY2022 to US$ 1,382 million in FY2024.
Worked Lab-Grown Diamonds: Witnessed a 58.16% growth, reaching US$ 172 million in FY2024.
Platinum Jewellery: Recorded a staggering 820.87% increase, reaching US$ 23 million.
Coloured Gemstones: Grew by 17.19% to US$ 9.34 million
*Kirit Bhansali*, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “The India-UAE CEPA has propelled our gem and jewellery exports to new heights, growing by over 60% from US$ 4.95 billion in FY2022 to US$ 8.04 billion in FY2024. The UAE now accounts for nearly a quarter of India’s total gem and jewellery exports, surpassing Hong Kong. The duty-free advantage has unlocked immense opportunities, particularly in plain gold jewellery, which saw a 127% surge. As we celebrate three years of CEPA, we remain committed to strengthening this vital partnership and exploring new avenues for growth.”
National News
GJEPC, IndusInd Bank Host Webinar On FEMA Guidelines For GJ Exporters
Webinar Outlined How The Updated Regulatory Framework Enhances Operational Ease While Adjusting Key Trade Timelines.
GJEPC in association with IndusInd Bank, held a joint online webinar aimed at explaining the revised Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) guidelines and their direct operational impact on the gem and jewellery trade.
The interactive session featured key industry figures and financial experts, including Prakash Kumar Rath (Head – Gems, Jewellery and Diamond Division, IndusInd Bank), Mital Doshi (Convenor – Banking, Insurance and Taxation Sub-committee, GJEPC), and Sumit Dolwani (Manager – Trade Policy, GJEPC). Together, they outlined how the updated regulatory framework enhances operational ease while adjusting key trade timelines.
Shorter Export Realisation Periods: Timelines for foreign currency invoices have been adjusted from 12 months down to 9 months, while Rupee invoices have been revised from 15 months down to 12 months.
Greater Flexibility for Extensions: Authorised Dealer (AD) banks can now grant time extensions based on individual transaction circumstances, significantly reducing the requirement for routine Reserve Bank of India (RBI) referrals.
Revised Import Payment Timelines: Import payments will now be governed primarily by commercial contracts, replacing the former rigid six-month and 360-day restrictions.
Greater Discretion on Advance Payments: Banks have been given enhanced flexibility in framing internal policies for advance remittances instead of strictly adhering to fixed monetary thresholds.
Flexibility in Third-Party Payments: Third-party payments are now permitted subject to prescribed regulatory conditions and the satisfaction of the AD bank.
Simplified Handling of Pending Cases: AD banks can directly resolve outstanding EDPMS and IDPMS cases without needing to refer every individual matter to the RBI.
Speakers emphasized that exporters must maintain precise records and complete supporting documentation for all transactions, including those monitored through EDPMS and IDPMS.
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