GJEPC in association with IndusInd Bank, held a joint online webinar aimed at explaining the revised Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) guidelines and their direct operational impact on the gem and jewellery trade. 

The interactive session featured key industry figures and financial experts, including Prakash Kumar Rath (Head – Gems, Jewellery and Diamond Division, IndusInd Bank), Mital Doshi (Convenor – Banking, Insurance and Taxation Sub-committee, GJEPC), and Sumit Dolwani (Manager – Trade Policy, GJEPC). Together, they outlined how the updated regulatory framework enhances operational ease while adjusting key trade timelines. 

Shorter Export Realisation Periods: Timelines for foreign currency invoices have been adjusted from 12 months down to 9 months, while Rupee invoices have been revised from 15 months down to 12 months. 

Greater Flexibility for Extensions: Authorised Dealer (AD) banks can now grant time extensions based on individual transaction circumstances, significantly reducing the requirement for routine Reserve Bank of India (RBI) referrals. 

Revised Import Payment Timelines: Import payments will now be governed primarily by commercial contracts, replacing the former rigid six-month and 360-day restrictions. 

Greater Discretion on Advance Payments: Banks have been given enhanced flexibility in framing internal policies for advance remittances instead of strictly adhering to fixed monetary thresholds. 

Flexibility in Third-Party Payments: Third-party payments are now permitted subject to prescribed regulatory conditions and the satisfaction of the AD bank. 

Simplified Handling of Pending Cases: AD banks can directly resolve outstanding EDPMS and IDPMS cases without needing to refer every individual matter to the RBI. 

Speakers emphasized that exporters must maintain precise records and complete supporting documentation for all transactions, including those monitored through EDPMS and IDPMS.