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
Correction In Gold Prices Prompts Margin Calls On Some Bullet‑Repayment Gold Loans
NBFCs, Have Started Shifting Toward EMI Based Gold Loan Products To Reduce LTV Vulnerability
A sharp correction in gold prices over recent months has prompted margin calls on some bullet‑repayment gold loans, while EMI (regular‑instalment) loans have stayed largely insulated; this dynamic and recent RBI rules (effective April 1, 2026) have pushed non‑bank lenders to migrate toward EMI‑based products to reduce future margin‑call risk.
Bullet loans keep principal outstanding until maturity, so a fall in gold’s market value raises the loan‑to‑value (LTV) ratio quickly and can trigger margin calls or demands for extra collateral; lenders have invoked margin calls in some cases as prices fell over five months.
EMI loans reduce outstanding principal every month, creating an equity cushion that buffers the borrower against modest price corrections and so have remained largely unaffected in the recent correction.
Market participants attribute the correction to geopolitical events and renewed concerns about interest‑rate trajectories, which reduced safe‑haven flows and weighed on prices.
Key elements of the new RBI gold‑loan framework (effective April 1, 2026)
- Tiered LTV caps: 85% for loans up to Rs 2.5 lakh, 80% for Rs 2.5–5 lakh, and 75% above Rs 5 lakh. This standardises collateral limits across lenders.
- Requirement that borrowers repay principal and interest within 12 months (ending the widespread practice of rolling by paying only interest) and stricter auction/valuation and borrower‑protection rules (30‑day average or previous‑day price for valuation, faster release of gold on closure, mandated disclosures, auction reserve pricing rules).
- LTV for bullet loans must be calculated on the total amount repayable at maturity, which makes bullet structures less attractive under the new framework.
Industry response and product shift
- Non‑bank lenders (NBFCs, smaller finance companies) have started shifting toward EMI‑based gold‑loan products to reduce LTV vulnerability and margin‑call exposure, and to align with RBI’s consumer‑protection and repayment‑discipline aims.
- Lenders say they can manage risks on short‑term loans and through active LTV monitoring, but the structural incentive now favours EMI schedules because they steadily reduce outstanding balances.
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