News
IGJS Jaipur 2025 bolsters global connections amidst mounting trade challenges
Against a backdrop of mounting trade challenges, India’s gem and jewellery exporters gathered in Jaipur for the International Gem & Jewellery Show (IGJS) 2025, an exclusive export-focused event organized by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). Held from April 3 to 5, the show drew 50 of India’s leading exporters and more than 180 international buyers from 28 countries, reinforcing Jaipur’s status as a pivotal hub in the global jewellery trade.
The show, hosted at the Novotel Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre, spotlighted the city’s long-standing reputation for integrated craftsmanship — where stone-cutting and jewellery manufacturing coexist within the same business ecosystem. For many international buyers, this “one-stop-shop” model remains a key draw.
Still, the atmosphere wasn’t without tension. The recent imposition of U.S. tariffs — ranging between 26% and 27% on Indian jewellery exports — loomed large over business discussions. Exporters expressed concern over the long-term implications for price-sensitive markets like the United States, which has traditionally been a top destination for Indian jewellery.
“Tariffs were the biggest talking point on the floor,” said one Jaipur-based exporter. “We’re now discussing cost-sharing models with our U.S. partners, looking to absorb the blow across the supply chain — from exporters to retailers to end consumers.”
Repeat buyers remained a bright spot, with several exhibitors reporting continued interest and steady orders from long-standing clients. But many acknowledged a pressing need to attract larger retail chain buyers, particularly as global trade routes shift.
In response to the evolving trade landscape, exporters are eyeing alternative markets such as Dubai and Saudi Arabia, regions with strong demand and more favorable trade terms. Industry stakeholders also pointed to the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) as a promising channel for diversifying export destinations.
Despite challenges, the sentiment remained broadly optimistic. The GJEPC announced plans to significantly scale the show in 2026, targeting over 500 global buyers and more than 150 exhibitors, a move intended to elevate the show’s global standing and deepen its influence in the international marketplace.
At its core, IGJS Jaipur 2025 underscored themes of resilience, adaptability, and strategic collaboration — with industry players focused on navigating shifting trade dynamics while continuing to showcase the strength of Indian craftsmanship.
National News
Will RBI Rate Hikes Make Gold Loans Costlier?
With Bullion rIces Sliding From Recent Peaks, Borrowers Face A Dual Squeeze: Potential Upward Adjustments On Floating Borrowing Costs and Lower Loan Amounts Against Pledged jJewellery.
Potential rate hikes by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) could push borrowing costs higher across the financial system, but the transmission to gold loans will not be immediate or uniform across all lenders, analysts and industry executives said. With bullion prices sliding from recent peaks, borrowers face a dual squeeze: potential upward adjustments on floating borrowing costs and lower loan amounts against pledged jewellery.
Key Takeaways for Borrowers & Lenders
Non-Uniform Transmission: A repo rate hike does not guarantee a 1:1 surge in gold loan rates. Lenders pricing credit via non-bank finance company (NBFC) cost-of-funds channels may adjust rates on a different timeline compared to banks operating direct floating-rate transmission models.
Loan Structure Matters: Existing fixed-rate borrowers remain protected for their contract term, while floating-rate borrowers face higher interest costs upon contract reset dates.
Collateral & LTV Risk: A fall in gold prices reduces the value of pledged collateral relative to total debt. Lenders are required under RBI regulations to enforce a strict loan-to-value (LTV) ceiling of 75%, leaving borrowers vulnerable to margin calls or mandatory partial pay-downs if market prices breach regulatory margins.
Commercial banks experience a high and direct immediate impact from a central bank rate hike, as their benchmark-linked External Benchmark Lending Rates (EBLR) force floating borrowing costs to reset quickly.
In contrast, gold loan NBFCs face a moderate or delayed impact, with interest rate adjustments depending on their broader liability structure, wholesale borrowing costs, and competitive market positioning.
For fixed-rate contracts, a rate hike has no immediate impact, keeping borrowing costs steady until the specified term ends. Conversely, floating-rate contracts carry a high impact, with interest charges stepping upward automatically on the loan’s next periodic reset date.
Strategic Considerations
Borrowers considering a gold loan amidst rate uncertainty and volatile commodity prices should evaluate the following structural factors:
Calculate Servicing Capacity: Assess whether monthly cash outflows can accommodate potential interest rate resets on floating-rate agreements.
Review LTV Margins: Evaluate pledged jewellery value at current spot rates to maintain a safety cushion above the mandatory 75% LTV regulatory threshold, mitigating auction risk during sharp gold pullbacks.
Compare Fine Print: Look past headline interest rates to evaluate reset frequencies, processing charges, prepayment penalties, and default auction clauses across competing bank and NBFC offerings.
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