Indian gold jewellery exports down 47% in Feb on lower offtake from Gulf

5% import duty levy by the UAE hits jewellery shipment, exporters seek cut on gold import duty

Gold jewellery exports from India routed through West Asia are being adversely affected because of two reasons: First, because of the 10 per cent import duty levied on imported gold used in making jewellery, and, second, by the 5 per cent import duty on jewellery levied by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) effective January 1.

Gold jewellery exports dropped more than 24 per cent in January and 47.52 per cent in February. India has been losing exports rapidly to competitors including China.

Experts say there has been an increase in the number of manufacturing units set up in the UAE because of