India's jewellery exports rise by 6.32 pc in '06

Mumbai, Apr 12 (UNI) India's total gem and jewellery exports have increased to 6.32 per cent with Rs 73,304.29 crore (USD 16,669.11 million) for financial year 2005-06 as compared Rs 70,245.95 crore (USD 15678.14 million) in the same period last year.

Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) Chairman Bakul R Mehta told mediaperons here today that the growth in the sector was primarily driven by the cut and polished diamonds (CPD) segment, which witnessed a remarkable increase of 6.07 per cent. The exports of CPD grew to USD 11,860.49 million FY 2005-06 from USD 11,181.56 million in the corresponding period in FY 2004-05, while total volume CPD were at 432.72 lakh carats during the finanical year 2005-06 as compared to 479.47 lakh carats in the corresponding period of 2004-05.

He said exports of gold jewellery registered a growth of 1.28 per cent, with exports being recorded at USD 3,861.57 million in FY 2005-06 as compared to USD 3,812.88 million in FY 2004-05. Colored gemstones grew by 21.05 per cent to USD 233.32 million in FY 2005-06 as against USD 192.75 million in the year 2004-05.

The gem and jewellery sector continues to be the front-runner and highest contributor to the total value addtion of the country, contributing USD 3.5 billion this year, he informed.

The United States, Hong Kong and UAE were top export markets for the Indian gem and jewellery products accounting for 28 per cent, 21 per cent and 15 per cent repectively of the total exports followed by Singapore and Belgium, which accounted for nine per cent and eight per cent respectively, Mr Mehata added.

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