GJEPC seeks to boost Indian jewellery market in the Gulf

Dubai, Mar 20 (UNI) A five-member delegation of the Indian Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) is on a three-day visit to Gulf countries to boost the market for Indian jewellery.

Leader of the delegation Shailesh Sanghani said ''Past growth rates have been stable but it leaves room for improvement. The Indian delegation is looking to pushing to surpass all past growth rates,''.

India's gem and jewellery exports to the Middle East touched 3030.27 million dollars in 2005 with the main markets being the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leon, Syria, and Turkey.

Of the total exports to the region, gold jewellery contributed 54 per cent amounting to 1655.79 million dollars followed by cut and polished diamonds at 44 per cent.

''Middle East forms an exciting market for Indian branded diamond jewellery and similarly India being the largest consumer for gold becomes an attractive market for the Middle East,'' a spokesman said. The delegation extended an invitation to regional jewellery traders to attend the five-day India International Jewellery Show opening on May 4 in Mumbai, Asia's largest such show.

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