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.”
- Visit gives CG greater insights into diamond trade and import-export operations
- BDB Committee Highlights Close Ties between Diamond Industries in UAE and India
The Hon’ble Consul General of India to Dubai, Shri Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, visited the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) complex on July 24, and after being shown around the complex, engaged with members of the Bourse Committee.
The visit enabled the Consul General to gather better insights into the functioning of the diamond trade and the operations within the Bourse. He also observed the smooth functioning of import-export trade in diamonds between the two countries, facilitated by the PCCCC run by Indian Customs within the complex.
The UAE is one of India’s most significant trading partners in the field of diamonds and jewellery. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached US$33.51 billion in FY2025-26.
In addition to a tour of the complex to understand the complete cycle from the import of rough diamonds to the export of polished diamonds, Shri Vishnu Vardhan Reddy also spent time interacting with Mehul Shah, Vice President, BDB, and other Committee members.
The BDB Committee highlighted the close connections between diamond companies in Mumbai and those in Dubai, as well as the regular interactions between the two centres. They thanked Shri Vishnu Vardhan Reddy for the cooperation they have always received from the Indian Embassy and expressed confidence that this visit would further streamline the movement of import-export parcels between the two countries.
Shri Vishnu Vardhan Reddy appreciated the global standards of the infrastructure and systems within the Bharat Diamond Bourse, as well as the professionalism with which the import-export trade operates. He assured the BDB Committee of the continued support of the officials at the Indian Embassy in the UAE.
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