Connect with us

National News

Union Budget FY 2025-26

GJEPC welcomes new Export Promotion Mission, National Manufacturing Mission & the National Centres of Excellence Skilling
Budget Reaction by Mr. Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC

Published

on

“Union Budget presented by Hon. Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman puts India in the growth path to Viksit Bharat. The Budget reforms will help to realise India’s domestic growth potential and unveil a new trade roadmap to navigate global uncertainties.

GJEPC welcomes the recognition of exports as the 4th engine of growth and the new Export Promotion Mission with sectoral and ministerial targets, driven jointly by Union Commerce, Finance & MSME Ministries. This will facilitate easy access to export credit cross border and factor support to MSMEs to tackle non-tariff barriers in exports. GJEPC welcomes the digital public infrastructure, ‘BharatTradeNet’ (BTN) for international trade to be set-up as a unified platform for trade documentation and financing solutions.

GJEPC further welcomes the proposal of creating of new tariff items in Chapter 71 so as to distinguish precious metals – containing 99.9% or more by weight of silver, containing 99.5% or more by weight of gold, containing 99% or more by weight of platinum under headings 7106, 7108 and 7110 respectively. This move aligns with the representation made by GJEPC for addressing the issue of classification of alloys of Platinum (pre-dominantly containing gold), which was invariably leading to claim of unwarranted customs duty exemptions for import of Platinum under India-UAE CEPA .

Gem & Jewellery sector comprises of 85%-90% of MSMEs. The revision in classification criteria of MSMEs especially with those with turnover from Rs. 250 crore to Rs. 500 crore will help them achieve higher efficiencies of scale, technological upgradation and better access to capital.  The extension of credit guarantee cover to MSMEs leading to additional credit of Rs. 1.5 lakh crore in the next 5 years will benefit and provide boost to the MSMEs in the sector.

The Government’s stable approach on duties and levies across gem & jewellery products will enhance ease of doing business. The Basic Customs duty rate has been reduced from 25% to 5% on platinum findings classified under 7113 will enable consumers to get a new product and increase affordable jewellery sales..

GJEPC welcomes the Government’s labour intensive focus enhancing productivity, quality manufacturing and global competitiveness. G & J industry is labour intensive with 5 million people employed in Exports. The announcement of National Manufacturing Mission & the National Centres of Excellence Skilling furthering ‘Make for India ‘Make for the World’ is positive and is set to have direct  benefit to the sector.

GJEPC welcomes income tax relief incentives to boost consumer demand. Overall, Union Budget presented by Hon. Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman puts India in the growth path to Viksit Bharat. The Budget reforms will help to realise India’s domestic growth potential and unveil a new trade roadmap to navigate global uncertainties.

GJEPC remains committed to collaborating with the Government of India to ensure the sector continues to contribute significantly to the nation’s economy. Council requests the issuance of FAQs on Safe Harbour Taxation. We seek Hon. FM’s support for co-funding global diamond promotion campaigns, the inclusion of jewellery parks in the harmonised infrastructure list, and an Infrastructure Support Fund to develop a Gem Bourse in Jaipur.

GJEPC urges the Government to align regulations with global benchmarks, to set up a policy that promotes exports, innovation, use of technology, and incentivises sustainable practices.

Continue Reading
Advertisement JewelBuzz Banner
Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted

National News

Malabar Group Signs Letter Of Intent With The West Bengal Government To Strengthen CSR Partnerships and Advance Inclusive Development

Rs 20 Crore CSR Commitment For West Bengal In FY 2026–27 To Expand Education, Healthcare, Nutrition, Water Security and Artisan Welfare Initiatives.

Published

on

·Strengthens government-corporate collaboration to drive inclusive development across West Bengal

·Supports 11,873 children through 297 Micro Learning Centres across the state

·Provides nutritious meals daily to 1,200 beneficiaries and has completed 629 drinking water wells

·Expands support for healthcare, elderly care, and artisan communities across West Bengal

Malabar Group, a leading diversified business conglomerate and the parent company of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Government of West Bengal to strengthen CSR partnerships and expand the impact of its social initiatives across the state. The LOI was exchanged with Finance Minister Dr. Swapan Dasgupta by Thahsil Ahammed, Regional Head (East India), Malabar Gold & Diamonds, along with Sajid N K, Manufacturing Head, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, and Shabeer P K, Senior Manager, CSR. The collaboration marks an important step towards enhancing government-corporate convergence and promoting inclusive and sustainable development through focused interventions addressing community needs.

The engagement is aligned with West Bengal Government’s efforts to establish a more coordinated and outcome-oriented framework for CSR partnerships. The state has also instituted an integrated CSR framework through the Finance Department, State CSR Council, West Bengal CSR Portal and CSR Projects Facilitation Unit to facilitate partnerships between the government, corporates, and philanthropic organisations, while aligning CSR investments with identified development priorities. As a part of its continued contribution towards the social development in the state, Malabar Group has earmarked a total CSR commitment of Rs 20 crore for FY 2026–27.

Malabar Group has been implementing a range of community-focused initiatives in West Bengal through the Malabar Charitable Trust (MCT) and its implementing partner, Daya Rehabilitation Trust (Thanal). These initiatives encompass education, nutrition, healthcare, water security, elderly care, housing, and artisan welfare, with a focus on creating sustainable impact among underprivileged communities.

Under its education initiatives, Malabar Group currently supports 297 Micro Learning Centres, benefiting 11,873 children from underserved communities across West Bengal. The Group has also provided scholarships to 500 girls to support their education. In addition, the Ujjwala Scholarship initiative supports 500 students from the Karigar community in West Bengal, contributing to greater access to education for children from artisan families.

Nutrition remains another important area of intervention. Malabar Group provides nutritious meals daily to 1,200 beneficiaries across the state. The initiative aims to ensure regular access to nutrition among vulnerable communities. Its outreach efforts include daily street medical services that reach around 60 beneficiaries, extending basic healthcare support to underserved sections of society.

Moreover, the Group has completed 629 drinking water wells against a target of 800, helping communities improve access to safe drinking water. Furthermore, the Group has expanded its social welfare initiatives to elderly care and housing. A Grandma Home for 60 elderly women has been proposed in West Bengal to provide accommodation, care, and support to elderly women in need. Through its Samman Awas housing initiative for artisans, Malabar Group has committed to provide 140 houses, including 80 in West Bengal, with the aim of improving living conditions for artisan communities.

Commenting on the initiative, MP Ahammed, Chairman of Malabar Group, said:

“At Malabar Group, CSR is an integral part of our culture, and we believe in creating meaningful and sustainable social impact. Our collaboration with the Government of West Bengal marks an important step in enhancing this approach and strengthening the alignment between corporate social responsibility and the development priorities of the state.

Through our continued engagement with communities, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that enhance access to education, healthcare, nutrition, livelihoods, and essential social infrastructure. We look forward to building on this partnership and contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable future for communities across West Bengal.”

The Letter of Intent further strengthens Malabar Group’s ongoing engagement with communities across West Bengal and provides an opportunity to deepen existing interventions while exploring areas for greater collaboration. West Bengal Government’s CSR framework is designed to connect corporate intent with development priorities at the state and district levels, and facilitate partnerships that can improve quality, alignment, and scalability of CSR interventions.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds has allocated Rs 200 crore towards CSR initiatives for FY 2026–27, with a focus on driving meaningful social needs.

Continue Reading

Trending

JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.

We would like to hear from you...

GET WHATSAPP NEWS ALERTS

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x