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.
National News
High Gold Prices, Geopolitical Tensions, PM Call For Economic Austerity Drives Indian Consumers To Silver
Silver Is Migrating From A Niche Industrial Commodity and Traditional Silverware Into Mainstream, High-End Jewellery
India’s historic love affair with gold is facing a structural test. A potent combination of record-high prices, escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, and a direct appeal for economic austerity from New Delhi is forcing a pivot in the world’s second-largest consumer market for the precious metal. The alternative? Silver.
The shift comes on the heels of a rare intervention by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently urged citizens to pause gold purchases for a year. The goal is macroeconomic stabilization: curbing a massive import bill to defend the nation’s foreign exchange reserves against a rising tide of global volatility.
The numbers underscore the government’s anxiety. India imported nearly $72 billion worth of gold in the 2026 fiscal year, positioning the metal as the country’s largest import liability after crude oil. The pressure has only intensified in recent months, with data showing a staggering $32.7 billion drained for gold imports between late February and early May.
For generationally minded Indian consumers, who view precious metals not just as adornment but as vital financial security during weddings and festivals, walking away from the bullion market entirely is rarely an option. Instead, the middle class is recalibrating.
Industry executives note that gold is rapidly outpricing everyday buyers. As a result, silver is migrating from a niche industrial commodity and traditional silverware into mainstream, high-end jewelry. Market insiders report that consumers are increasingly treating the white metal as an affordable proxy, capitalizing on its lower entry point while retaining the psychological comfort of holding physical bullion.
The metal is seeing a dual demand shock. While retail consumers chase it for affordability, global macro factors—including robust industrial applications and anticipation of Western central bank interest rate cuts—are providing a sturdy floor for silver prices.
To mitigate the drop-off in fresh retail volume, the domestic jewelry sector is aggressively shifting its strategy toward a circular economy. Retailers are launching campaigns to encourage consumers to recycle and exchange their existing family heirlooms rather than buying newly
Whether Indian households will willingly unlock their private vaults remains to be seen. However, as long as global headwinds persist and New Delhi keeps the pressure on imports, the glitter of India’s jewelry markets will look increasingly silver.
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