DiamondBuzz
EFTA deal will see diamond tariffs gradually reduce to zero over the next decade
Tariffs on Indian diamonds are currently between 2.5 per cent and 5.0 per cent. The new agreement will see a phased reduction over 10 years to zero.
India has signed a trade agreement with four of its smaller European trading partners that will see diamond tariffs gradually reduce to zero over the next decade.The deal with Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, all non-EU members belonging to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), aims to generate $100bn in investment across all sectors over the next 15 years.
In terms of diamonds, Switzerland is by far the most significant importer from India. The others currently trade negligible diamond volumes with India.
The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) was agreed in March, after 16 years of negotiations, but has only just been ratified by all four member countries.
On Saturday (19 July) India’s commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal officially announced that the agreement will come into effect from 1 October.
Piyush Goyal said: “The agreement is one of India’s most comprehensive trade pacts, expected to significantly deepen economic ties by unlocking substantial foreign direct investment and boosting trade across multiple sectors.”The pact targets $50bn in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) over the first 10 years, followed by another $50bn in the subsequent five years, aiming to generate one million direct jobs in India.”
DiamondBuzz
Diamond Slump forces Debswana to diversify into copper, platinum and solar
Diamond-centric mining models is giving way to broader resource portfolios
Debswana Diamond Company, the 50–50 joint venture between the Botswana government and De Beers, is moving to diversify into copper, platinum and renewable energy as the prolonged downturn in natural diamond demand pressures earnings and forces the industry to rethink its growth strategy.
The company’s board has approved plans to invest in a portfolio of non-diamond projects after revenue fell 46% in 2024, the latest available financial year, highlighting the scale of the downturn in the global diamond market.
The move signals a strategic shift toward commodities with stronger long-term demand fundamentals, particularly copper, which is central to global electrification and energy-transition infrastructure.
Debswana’s diversification reflects a broader industry pivot as diamond producers confront weak consumer demand, rising competition from lab-grown stones and elevated inventories across the supply chain.
The shift is also visible among smaller exploration companies. Botswana Diamonds recently rebranded as Botswana Minerals, signalling its own strategic focus on copper exploration rather than diamonds.
Together, these moves underscore a growing consensus across the sector: the era of diamond-centric mining models is giving way to broader resource portfolios anchored in energy-transition metals.
-
BrandBuzz13 hours agoThe Pearl Edit: Thoughtful Women’s Day Gifting by GIVA
-
BrandBuzz13 hours agoAugmont Launches SPOT 2.0: One Platform. Every Product. Efficient Business
-
BrandBuzz17 hours agoSenco Gold & Diamonds Launches “SHAPE OF YOU”- AI Application for Women’s Day Celebration
-
National News17 hours agoKushals Fashion Jewellery Curates Special Women’s Day Edit Celebrating Strength, Style and Self-Expression
JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.