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
Foreign exchange reserves declined by $11.413 billion to $698.346 billion
Forex drop due to a sharp fall in gold reserves:RBI
As of March 28, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India’s latest data reveals a brutal $30.14 billion evaporation in forex reserves over just three weeks. The headline-grabber? A staggering $13.49 billion collapse in gold reserves in a single week.
While the official line points to “valuation effects,” the underlying reality is a cocktail of geopolitical warfare, a bleeding Rupee, and an RBI backed into a corner.
For years, gold was the “safe haven.” In March 2026, it became a weight. The drop to $117.19 billion wasn’t because the RBI sold the family silver—it’s because the global gold market just endured its worst weekly rout in four decades.
- The Paper Flush: As the US-Iran conflict escalated, institutional investors faced massive margin calls on their stock portfolios. They didn’t sell gold because they lost faith in it; they sold it because it was the only liquid asset left to cover their losses.
- The Yield Trap: With oil breaching $110, inflation fears have spiked. This has forced the US Fed to signal “higher for longer” rates, making non-yielding gold look like an expensive hobby compared to high-interest US Treasuries.
The Rupee isn’t just sliding; it’s in a freefall. Falling over 4% in March alone and nearly 10% for the fiscal year, the Indian unit is gasping at record lows near 94.81/$1.
The central bank is fighting a multi-front war:
- Crude Oil Shock: Brent crude at $110 is a direct tax on India’s dollar reserves.
- The Forward Book Time Bomb: The RBI’s net short dollar position in the forward market is estimated to have ballooned to $100 billion.
- Import Cover Erosion: Adjusting for these forward positions, India’s “real” import cover has shriveled from 11 months to just 9.4 months.
If West Asia remains a tinderbox, the buffer that felt “invincible” at $728 billion in February could look skeletal by 2027. Some analysts are already eyeing a drop to $636 billion as the new reality.The RBI is no longer just “managing volatility”; it is performing triage on a currency being pummeled by global m
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