National News
GJEPC and Trade Opportunities seminar: fostering knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and global competitiveness
GJEPC successfully organized an insightful seminar titled “GJEPC and Trade Opportunities” for the gem and jewellery community of Zaveri Bazaar on April 11, 2025. The event was aimed at raising awareness about the Council’s various initiatives and support systems designed to boost the growth and global reach of the Indian gem and jewellery industry. The seminar drew a strong turnout, with more than 200 industry professionals in attendance, including exporters, traders, wholesalers, young entrepreneurs, and members of prominent trade bodies.
The seminar began with a welcome address by Khusboo Ranawat , Regional Chairperson , Western Region and GJEPC Regional Representative, who highlighted the Council’s ongoing efforts to empower MSMEs and exporters by providing market intelligence, financial assistance, and opportunities for international exposure. The speaker emphasized the importance of capacity building and collaboration within the sector to drive sustainable growth.
This was followed by a detailed presentation by GJEPC officials, which covered the Council’s various export facilitation services, upcoming international trade fairs and buyer-seller meets, financial support schemes, and strategic trade advantages available under agreements such as the India-UAE CEPA. The session was tailored to equip participants with practical knowledge to help them tap into global markets more effectively.
A panel discussion featuring seasoned exporters and trade consultants provided valuable insights into navigating international markets. Panelists discussed strategies for expanding into new regions, overcoming the challenges faced by small businesses, and embracing digital tools and branding to stay competitive in the evolving landscape of the jewellery trade.
The event also included an interactive Q&A session, where participants actively engaged with the speakers on topics like export registration, compliance processes, product certifications, and government funding schemes. The open dialogue fostered a spirit of learning and encouraged first-time exporters to explore new possibilities with greater confidence.
In a special felicitation ceremony, GJEPC honored three key trade bodies for their unwavering support and contribution to the growth of the industry. Mumbai Wholesale Gold Association, Jewellers Youth Forum, and Zaveri Bazaar Welfare Association were felicitated along with their respective teams for their role in strengthening the ecosystem and promoting unity among the trade community.
The seminar was extremely well-received by all attendees, who appreciated the depth of information shared and the opportunity to network with peers and industry experts. The event reinforced GJEPC’s commitment to serving as a guiding force for the Indian gem and jewellery sector by fostering knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and global competitiveness.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has significantly accelerated the repatriation of its gold reserves, bringing home 274 tonnes of gold since March 2023, including approximately 64 tonnes in the six months leading up to September 2025. This strategic move is primarily driven by mounting geopolitical uncertainty and rising global skepticism over keeping sovereign assets offshore, especially after the G7 nations froze the foreign currency reserves of Russia and Afghanistan.
By the end of September 2025, the RBI’s total gold holdings stood at 880.8 tonnes, with a majority—575.8 tonnes—now held domestically, reflecting a deliberate effort to enhance economic sovereignty and safeguard national wealth from potential financial sanctions or warfare. This repatriation effort, alongside surging gold prices, has also increased gold’s share in India’s total foreign exchange reserves to 13.9%, underscoring the central bank’s focus on diversification and risk mitigation in a fragmented global landscape.
The rise in gold prices has also elevated the precious metal’s proportion in total reserves to 13.9%.By September 2025, the foreign currency assets of around $579.18 billion were allocated as follows: $489.54 billion in securities investments, $46.11 billion in deposits with other central banks and BIS, whilst $43.53 billion remained in deposits with overseas commercial banks.
As at March 31, RBI’s gold holdings stood at 879 tonnes, with 512 tonnes stored within the country and 348.6 tonnes held under custodial arrangements with the Bank of England and Bank of International Settlements.The central bank has indicated that it engages external asset managers to handle a modest portion of reserves to investigate alternative reserve management strategies and products, whilst diversifying the portfolio. These activities are conducted within the framework permitted by the RBI Act, 1934.
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