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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

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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.”

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Value Addition Drives August Jewellery Exports as Studded Gold Jewellery Rises 51.22% to US$642.85 Million

. Gross Gem & Jewellery Exports Rise 3.14% to US$2.30 Billion in August
. Cut and polished diamond exports, in volume terms, rose by 3.23%, from 12.94 lakh carats in August 2025 to 13.36 lakh carats in August 2026, indicating early signs of renewed demand and positive momentum in the global diamond market.

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India’s gem and jewellery exports continued their positive momentum in August 2026, with gross exports increasing 3.14% in US dollar terms and 12.52% in rupee terms year-on-year to US$ 2.30 billion (Rs. 21,945.87 crore), compared to US$ 2.23 billion (Rs. 19,503.52 crore) in August 2025.

A notable trend during the month was the strong performance of value-added jewellery exports. While cut and polished diamond exports remained under pressure in value terms, the volume of cut and polished diamonds exported increased from 12.94 lakh carats in August 2025 to 13.36 lakh carats in August 2026. At the same time, studded gold jewellery exports surged 51.22% in US dollar terms, indicating growing demand for finished and value-added jewellery from international markets.

This shift towards value addition is significant for India’s gem and jewellery ecosystem, as more diamonds are being incorporated into finished jewellery within the country, creating greater value across the manufacturing chain and supporting employment and economic activity.

Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said “August’s export performance reflects the resilience and adaptability of India’s gem and jewellery industry. The increase in diamond export volumes, along with the sharp growth in studded gold jewellery exports, highlights India’s growing ability to create greater value by transforming precious materials into finished jewellery. This marks an important step in India’s evolution from a major processing centre to a global hub for design, manufacturing and value addition. With continued policy support, innovation and access to international markets, India is well positioned to capture a larger share of value across the global jewellery supply chain.”

Plain Gold Jewellery exports declined -23.90% in US dollar terms and -17.00% in rupee terms year-on-year to US$356.97 million (₹3408.32 crore). The decline comes amid elevated gold prices and the limited availability of duty-free gold for exporters, which has increased input costs and put pressure on the competitiveness of plain gold jewellery exports.

Gold prices increased by (+)8.27% month-on-month, rising from US$ 4,073.92 per troy ounce in July 2026 to US$ 4,410.89 per troy ounce in August 2026.

For the April–August 2026 period, India’s overall gross gem and jewellery exports stood at US$ 11.47 billion (Rs. 109,023.88 crore), registering a 2.58% growth in US dollar terms and a 13.36% growth in rupee terms over the corresponding period last year, demonstrating the sector’s resilience amid continued global economic uncertainties and elevated precious metal prices.

August 2026: Product-wise Export Performance

  • Gold Jewellery (Plain & Studded) exports increased 11.81% in US dollar terms and 21.96% in rupee terms year-on-year to US$ 999.83 million (Rs. 9,546.12 crore). The growth was driven by strong demand from USA, Hongkong, Singapore, UK, and France.
  • Plain Gold Jewellery exports declined 23.90% in US dollar terms and -17.00% in rupee terms year-on-year to US$ 356.97 million (Rs. 3,408.32 crore).
  • Studded Gold Jewellery exports surged 51.22% in US dollar terms and 64.96% in rupee terms year-on-year to US$ 642.85 million (Rs. 6,137.81 crore). The growth was driven by strong demand from USA, UAE, Hongkong, UK, and France.
  • Cut & Polished Diamonds exports declined -4.93% in US dollar terms and a +3.74% growth in rupee terms year-on-year to US$ 924.51 million (Rs. 8,828.65 crore).
  • In volume terms, Cut and polished diamond exports rose by 3.23%, from 12.94 lakh carats in August 2025 to 13.36 lakh carats in August 2026.
  • Silver Jewellery exports declined 39.66% in US dollar terms and -34.20% in rupee terms year-on-year to US$ 86.68 million (Rs. 827.20 crore).
  • Platinum Jewellery exports grew 29.09% in US dollar terms and 40.90% in rupee terms year-on-year to US$ 22.50 million (Rs. 214.94 crore). The growth was driven by strong demand from USA, UK, Netherland, and Canada.
  • Polished Lab-Grown Diamonds exports grew 28.45% in US dollar terms and 40.19% in rupee terms year-on-year to US$ 125.17 million (Rs. 1,195.18 crore). The growth was driven by strong demand from Hongkong, Israel, Thailand, Russia, and Canada.
  • Coloured Gemstones exports grew 34.40% in US dollar terms and 46.64% in rupee terms year-on-year to US$ 49.07 million (Rs. 468.78 crore). The growth was driven by strong demand from Thailand, Hongkong, Italy, and USA.

April–August 2026: Product-wise Export Performance

Coloured Gemstones exports declined 1.92% in US dollar terms and a +8.45% growth in rupee terms to US$ 152.61 million (Rs. 1,451.49 crore) during April–August 2026, compared to US$ 155.59 million in the corresponding period last year.

Gold Jewellery (Plain & Studded) exports increased 7.00% in US dollar terms and 18.33% in rupee terms to US$ 5.03 billion (Rs. 47,853.03 crore) during April–August 2026, compared to US$ 4.70 billion in the corresponding period last year.

Plain Gold Jewellery exports declined 11.44% in US dollar terms and -2.04% in rupee terms to US$ 2.15 billion (Rs. 20,489.39 crore) during April–August 2026, compared to US$ 2.43 billion in the corresponding period last year.

Studded Gold Jewellery exports grew 26.73% in US dollar terms and 40.16% in rupee terms to US$ 2.88 billion (Rs. 27,363.63 crore) during April–August 2026, compared to US$ 2.27 billion in the corresponding period last year.

Cut & Polished Diamonds exports declined 7.38% in US dollar terms and a +2.35% growth in rupee terms to US$ 4.52 billion (Rs. 43,000.37 crore) during April–August 2026, compared to US$ 4.88 billion in the corresponding period last year.

Silver Jewellery exports grew 35.57% in US dollar terms and 48.57% in rupee terms to US$ 594.86 million (Rs. 5,623.89 crore) during April–August 2026, compared to US$ 438.79 million in the corresponding period last year.

Platinum Jewellery exports increased 19.67% in US dollar terms and 32.08% in rupee terms to US$ 100.32 million (Rs. 953.36 crore) during April–August 2026, compared to US$ 83.83 million in the corresponding period last year.

Polished Lab-Grown Diamonds exports increased 11.76% in US dollar terms and 23.49% in rupee terms to US$ 533.67 million (Rs. 5,076.61 crore) during April–August 2026, compared to US$ 477.53 million in the corresponding period last year.

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