We Wish to Build Globally Relevant SKY Gold: Akash Talesara
Israel’s Diamond Industry Under Severe Pressure
Did Natural Diamond Ind. Misjudge LGD Threat?
A Surging Rupee Tripled Gold’s Global Loss in India as Silver Broke Down
Macro Snapshot: The Reserve Bank of India changed the domestic arithmetic before trading opened on 12 October. On 10 October it announced a special window to meet the entire daily dollar requirement of Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum directly from its reserves, taking a large block of import demand out of the spot market. The central bank also tightened rupee derivative rules, imposing a 20% Foreign Exchange Risk Reserve on eligible contracts above $2 million and barring the
A Surging Rupee Tripled Gold’s Global Loss in India as Silver Broke Down
Macro Snapshot: The Reserve Bank of India changed the domestic arithmetic before trading opened on 12 October. On 10 October it announced a special window to meet the entire daily dollar requirement of Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum directly from its reserves, taking a large block of import demand out of the spot market. The central bank also tightened rupee derivative rules, imposing a 20% Foreign Exchange Risk Reserve on eligible contracts above $2 million and barring the
Top News
Antwerp Extremely Satisfied with India-EU FTA
Antwerp: The recently concluded trade agreement between the European Union and India provides for a reduction of India’s import duty on naturally polished diamonds of European origin, from 5.5% to 2.5%. This tariff reduction is the result of intensive lobbying efforts by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), in close cooperation with the European Commission. The measure represents a new boost for the Antwerp diamond industry and strengthens Antwerp’s attractiveness as a polishing centre. The reduced tariff is expected to have a positive impact on exports from Antwerp to India. “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the long-awaited trade agreement between Europe and India,” says Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of AWDC. “Thanks to AWDC’s intensive and sustained lobbying, in close cooperation with the European Commission, India’s import duty on polished diamonds has been reduced from 5.5% to 2.5%. This is an important boost for the Belgian diamond sector and is expected to have a positive impact on exports of Antwerp-polished diamonds to India. Moreover, this measure strengthens our competitiveness as a polishing center: diamonds polished in Europe will now be able to enter India at a more favourable tariff than before, and also compared to other major trading hubs. India is one of the fastest-growing consumer markets for jewelry and therefore also offers
BDB Pays Tribute on International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Mumbai: the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) solemnly paid homage yesterday to the millions of Jewish lives brutally taken during World War II, marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the historic Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue in Mumbai. This global day of remembrance commemorates the liberation of Auschwitz- Birkenau and honors the memory of the six million Jews and countless others who were
India Should Focus on Incremental Changes in KP
Mumbai (By Suresh Chotai): More than two decades after the Kimberley Process (KP) was born, the diamond industry still faces an uncomfortable truth: the global system designed to keep “Conflict diamonds” out of the market is stuck in the past. The Kimberley Process defines conflict diamonds narrowly—stones used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments. That definition made
EU Eliminates Duty on Indian G&J Imports
Mumbai: India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has welcomed the elimination of import duties on Indian gem and jewellery products under the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This removes 2-4% duties on precious jewellery, unleashing huge export potential with the 27-member EU bloc—home to the world’s elite buyers. India’s gem and jewellery (G&J) exports accounted for USD 30
WDC Board Extends Terms of Elected Officers
New York: Meeting in video-conference on June 16, 2022, the Board of Directors of the World Diamond Council (WDC) has decided that, in light of the unusual set of circumstances currently prevalent, including those precipitated by the COVID pandemic, the terms of President Edward Asscher, Vice President Feriel Zerouki and Treasurer Ronnie VanderLinden, which were scheduled to terminate this year,
KP "Must Suspend Russia & Redefine Conflict Diamonds"
Johannesburg: The Kimberley Process (KP) must “stop turning blind eye to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and take fight against conflict diamonds seriously”. KP Civil Society Coalition (KPCSC), the umbrella organization that oversees its activities, issued a strongly-worded statement on Tuesday, accusing the KP of being “no longer fit for purpose”.An attempt by Western nations to broaden the KP definition of
SGB Series Opens on 20th June
New Delhi: India’s Ministry of Finance on 16 June decided to issue the two tranches of Sovereign Gold Bonds Scheme (SGBs) for 2022-23, it said in an official statement. “The SGBs will be sold through scheduled commercial banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL), designated post offices, and recognised stock exchanges viz., National
Doug Hucker Appointed as New CEO of ICA
New York: The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) has appointed industry veteran Doug Hucker as CEO, to succeed Gary Roskin. Hucker was the CEO of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) for the past 24 years, before leaving in March. He has also served on the boards of a number of industry associations, including the American Gem Society (AGS), the
