The critical issues of G&J presented to FM
GJEPC Leadership represents G&J
Industry concerns through a Video Meet
Ease
of Business, e-commerce, Amendments in Gold Monetisation Scheme, Priority
Status for Gem & Jewellery (G&J) sector, MyKYCBank platform mandatory
for G&J entities, Increasing Bank Credit exposure to G&J sector,
Reducing import duty, Development of SEZ’s etc represented during the meeting!
The
Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council’s Chairman Colin Shah, Vice
Chairman Vipul Shah, and Executive Director Sabyasachi Ray held a video meeting
with the Hon’ble Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on 6th July, and
made a presentation on the critical issues concerning the gem and jewellery
industry.
Some
of the concerns presented during the meeting included, E-commerce policy for
the gem and jewellery sector; making MyKYCBank platform mandatory for all gem
and jewellery entities; sale of rough diamonds in India by miners to Special
Notified Zones (SNZs); requested a clarification on Online Equalisation Levy
for B2B international diamond auctions; reduction in import duty on polished
diamonds, and Gold Monetisation scheme, amongst others.
Colin
Shah, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “We need to take measures and bring in reforms that
would strengthen the ease of doing business in the industry, and at the same
time make the industry self-reliant or Aatmanirbhar. I would like to thank our
Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, who took time from her busy
schedule to hear about the industry concerns. Madam has assured us that she
will look into the issues and address the concerns through periodical reviews.”
Council
has made representations that would facilitate the industry, unleash its
potential in terms of export growth and create additional employment in the
sector.
“Covid-19
has led to a paradigm shift in consumer behaviour across geographies. With
e-commerce gaining momentum, a massive rise is seen in online purchases, and
introduction of a supportive E- Commerce policy for the gem and jewellery
sector will drive online jewellery purchases.
Additionally,
Council has also stressed upon the need for a dedicated system-driven Fast
Track Customs Clearance of shipments for the gems and jewellery goods valued
below US$800.
We
have also proposed direct sale of rough diamonds by miners in Special Notified
Zones (SNZs) in India. Currently, rough diamonds are sent to SNZs by miners for
viewing in the country, post which diamonds are shipped back to Dubai or
Antwerp by SNZ. Sales aren’t permitted,
and if they do, it comes under the Permanent Entities as per the IT Act, and
attracts income tax on the sale.
The
same goods are then shipped back to India via offices in Dubai or Antwerp, thus
increasing costs for the importer. As much as 60% of the rough is routed
through Antwerp or Dubai. The Council has requested the Finance Minister that
if customers in India choose to confirm their orders, an invoice can be made
within the SNZ. Miners could pay a “turnover tax” not exceeding 0.16% (the
prevailing rate in Belgium).
The
Council has further urged the Government that the gem and jewellery sector be
granted as Priority Sector Status in order to bring in operational benefits to
the sector,” said Colin Shah, Chairman, GJEPC.
Speaking
on the availability of Bank Finance to the trade, Vipul Shah, Vice Chairman,
GJEPC said, “The industry has access to about Rs 66,580 crore of bank credit,
which amounts to 0.68% of the total bank credit of Rs. Rs.98,91,788 crore, which is minuscule in comparison to the
socio-economic contributions made by this sector .
We
have also raised our concerns over the limited financial support extended by
the private banks. In case of multiple banking/consortium, if private banks
decide to freeze funds, then other PSBs are also at risk. GJEPC has proposed
that banks should follow all RBI circulars and notifications, and banks should
be directed to not withdraw credit limits.”
GJEPC
has also urged to reduce polished
diamond import duty from 7.5% to 2.5% to help India to strengthen its status as
a polished diamond hub, as all distribution would then be out of India, leading
to increase in duty collection due to greater volumes”, Vipul Shah added
India
imports almost 1/3rd of world’s gold bullion up to 900 Tons. While 1/3 of the
gold imported is for non-productive investments the balance 2/3 is for
consumption. This adds to the trade deficit and Increases Rupee Depreciation.
To
strengthen the Gold Monetisation scheme, GJEPC has shared points for
consideration in the GMS 2020 which includes: Retailers can get jewellery from
a consumer with KYC and confirm the pure gold weight in terms of 995; The
retailer should give RBI authorised dealer's certified gold/digital in the
denomination of 100/500/1000 gms along with certificate;
RBI
can fix the compounding interest rate based on tenure, for example: for 3 years
1.5%, 5 years 2%, 8 years 2.5% and so on; on maturity of the deposit period
whatever compounding interest accrued should be added in terms of gold with the
deposited quantity; RBI can give the gold deposited by the customers to the
banks in place of banks getting gold loan from foreign supplier and RBI can
charge interest for it accordingly.
Suggestions
for development of SEZs into economic employment enclaves were also put forth.
Exports from SEZ have witnessed a decline of (-) 8.07% during the last 5 years,
with $5.8 billion sales in 2014-15 dropping to $3.8 billion in 2018-19. Due to
seasonal nature of demand, majority of exports occur in 6 months and hence,
there is over-capacity built up. This
leads to the underutilisation during lean periods. To mitigate this effect, SEZ
units may be permitted to do job work for DTA units by following certain
safeguards and on payment of GST on labour charges, especially post Covid.
The
Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council has put forth concerns to the
Hon’ble FM with the vision to bring in “Ease of Doing Business” in the industry
in these trying times.
The
Indian gem & jewellery industry is one of the leading exporters in the
world, significantly contributing to the GDP of the country, 13% to merchandise
exports and employing around 5 million people.
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