National News
Hand-carriage facility at Ahmedabad Airport places Gujarat in the international export ecosystem: GJEPC
The approval for hand-carriage of gem and jewellery goods at Ahmedabad International Airport marks a major step forward in the Government of India and GJEPC’s ongoing efforts to enhance the ease of doing business for the industry. The inclusion of Ahmedabad in the official Hand-Carriage/HBoP system—announced through DGFT Public Notice No. 33/2025–26 dated 1 December 2025—comes at a time when India is expanding its global trade partnerships through FTAs with the UAE, Australia, UK and European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
The Hand Carriage facility, previously available only at Delhi port, has now been extended to all major ports—including Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai—with corresponding SOPs issued for smooth operations. Initially, Ahmedabad port was excluded from the list of Hand-Carry Points of Origin (HBoP). Following continued representation by GJEPC to the DGFT, Ahmedabad port has now been officially included in the HBoP network.
Soon after the DGFT notification, a GJEPC officials led by Jayanti Savaliya, Regional Chairman (Gujarat), approached and met Shiv Kumar Sharma, Principal Commissioner of Customs, Ahmedabad. He assured that the Customs department will fast-track the process and issue the SOP for the Ahmedabad hand-carriage facility at the earliest.
For exporters in Gujarat, this development is more than an operational convenience—it is a gateway to unlocking new export potential across key international markets. Hand-carriage access from Ahmedabad enables faster, secure movement of high-value consignments, allowing manufacturers and traders to fully leverage preferential access under existing and upcoming FTAs.
Gujarat—led by the Ahmedabad–Surat–Rajkot belt—has long been the global centre for cut and polished diamonds and is now rapidly evolving as a major hub for studded jewellery manufacturing. In FY 2024–25, gem and jewellery exports from the Gujarat Region totalled US$ 1,979.90 million, contributing nearly 7% to India’s overall exports in the sector. With Ahmedabad now added to the hand-carriage network, export operations from the region are expected to become more agile, competitive, and globally aligned.
The new facility will significantly benefit MSMEs, which form the backbone of jewellery manufacturing in Gujarat. Faster turnaround times, reduced process dependency, and direct access to international flights from Ahmedabad will enable businesses to meet global demand more efficiently—particularly for markets in the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America.
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, expressed gratitude to the DGFT and the Ministry of Commerce for this timely and progressive decision, noting that the inclusion of Ahmedabad in the hand-carriage network will strengthen the Gujarat region’s growing prominence in studded jewellery manufacturing.
Kirit Bhansali added: “This has been a long-standing need of exporters in Gujarat, and GJEPC has been consistently pursuing it with DGFT. The new facility will greatly support businesses across Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot—regions that collectively drive India’s diamond and jewellery exports. The decision brings convenience, speed, and greater ease of operations for thousands of exporters who can now ship and receive goods through Ahmedabad Airport.”
Jayanti Savaliya, Regional Chairman (Gujarat), GJEPC, said “Gujarat is the heart of India’s diamond cutting and polishing industry, and Ahmedabad is emerging as a major international aviation hub. Allowing hand-carriage from Ahmedabad will simplify procedures, save crucial time for exporters, and provide a major boost to MSMEs. This policy change will directly strengthen India’s position in the global gem and jewellery trade.”
The new hand-carriage facility will enable quicker movement of goods, reduced waiting time, and lower operational costs for exporters. With smoother processes and improved transparency, this step reinforces the shared commitment of the Government and GJEPC to support exporters, enhance industry competitiveness, and position Gujarat as a rising centre for value-added jewellery manufacturing.
- Event marks 42 years of Incorporation and 16 years of Operations
- Recently-appointed Consul-General’s first visit to the Bourse helps strengthen a century-old bond
- Long service awards presented to outstanding employees
Bharat Diamond Bourse today marked 42 years of incorporation and 16 years since the commencement of operations at the BDB Complex in BKC with a special programme graced by H. E. Pierre Stverlynck – Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai as Chief Guest and a number of leading diamantaires.
The function was organised to celebrate the crucial roles played both by the visionaries who conceptualised the need for a centralised infrastructure to boost the diamond trade over four decades ago, and the employees who have run the daily operations in a highly efficient and professional manner.
In his Welcome Address, BDB Vice President, Mehul Shah explained the significance of celebrating twin milestones – 42 years of incorporation and 16 years of operations. He said:
“BDB began with a vision and is now the world’s largest operational bourse, and a symbol of India’s leadership in the diamond world and excellence in every aspect of operations.”
He added, “It is significant that the Consul General of Belgium is with us on this special occasion. Antwerp and Mumbai have a very close relationship, going back more than 100 years. Today the two cities have bonds based on trust, trade and friendship. We are committed to strengthening this bond over the next century as well.”
Congratulating the awardees he said that members may be the owners, but it is the staff who run the complex and have helped build it as the “best of the best” centres for diamonds. “Personal integrity combined with hi-tech surveillance have made BDB one of the safest places in the world,” he explained, and urged all present never to forget that “it is the soldiers who fight and win the wars.” Mr Shah offered compliments to all the awardees and congratulated Team BDB.
Speaking on the occasion, Anoop Mehta, President BDB, welcomed Mr Stverlynck who has recently assumed charge as Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai.
“We are sure that this will be the first of many visits to our Bourse,” he said, noting that the Consulate is the nearest neighbour of the complex.
“The BDB leadership has always enjoyed a very special relationship with the Belgian consulate,” he added, “built on the longstanding bonds between the diamond industry in our two countries.”
Mr Mehta said it was heartening that so many employees had remained loyal to the BDB for multiple years, and urged all gathered to reach out through their department heads to put forward suggestions for further changes and improvements
Mr Stverlynck, who was on his first visit to the Bourse after assuming charge as Consul General, said he was extremely impressed with the facilities available for exporters within the complex. Assuring the trade of cooperation and support, he said he was happy to be personally present to celebrate such a remarkable institution as BDB that has become a key pillar of the India diamond industry.
Congratulating the leadership for its role in steering the bourse, as well as those employees who had received long service awards, Mr. Stverlynck said:
“The consolidated knowledge and experience of so many from those at the top to a number of others who contributed in various ways, is an asset to the industry.”
Special long service awards were presented to employees who completed special milestones during the year. These included 30-year, 25-, 15-, 10- and 5-year service awards to a few employees.
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