GJ Town India

  India’s natural diamond polishing industry faces a steep hill    According to Crisil Ratings, India’s natural diamond polishing industry faces a steep 28-30% fall in revenues to ~$12.50 billion this fiscal, compared with $16 billion last fiscal, after the imposition of 50% tariffs (25% reciprocal plus 25% penalty) by the US. The blow will follow a ~40% degrowth over the past three fiscals because of a fall in both prices and sales volume of natural diamonds as demand in the US and China dropped, and competition from lab-grown diamonds rose.    The 50% tariffs, effective this week, makes exports to the US tough for two reasons: one, the industry’s low margins make absorption of the incremental levy very difficult and two, declining demand means passing on the incremental burden to consumers will not be easy. The consequent reduced operating leverage could erode the operating margin of diamond polishers by 50-100 basis points and pressurise their credit profiles...

  Pushing US to exacerbate inflation & stymie economic growth    According to the Augmont Bullion! Gold holds steady ahead of Trump's reciprocal tariff threats! Gold prices remained stable as market investors squared their positions ahead of US President Donald Trump's sweeping reciprocal tariff plans, which they fear will exacerbate inflation and stymie economic growth. The focus is now on potential reciprocal tariffs that the US administration may impose on April 2, prompting some market concern.    In March, U.S. consumer confidence fell to its lowest level in more than four years, with households dreading a potential recession and increased inflation caused by tariffs. On the geopolitical front, the United States on Tuesday negotiated deals with Ukraine and Russia to halt their strikes at sea and against energy targets, with Washington agreeing to attempt to lift certain sanctions against Moscow. Considering the Technical Triggers, Gold has stron...

Wishes government intervention over the tariff proposal   Top representatives of India's gems and jewellery (GJ) sector have urgently briefed Hon’ble Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal, IAS, on the potential repercussions of the United States' recent notice regarding reciprocal tariffs.   According to the White House, “For many years, the United States has been treated unfairly by trading partners, both friend and foe.  This lack of reciprocity is one source of our country’s large and persistent annual trade deficit in goods-closed markets abroad reduce United States exports and open markets at home result in significant imports.” In the context, India fear that, the US anticipates higher tariff of 5% to 20% on imports of gem and jewellery from India. The delegation, led by Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, along with Adil Kotwal, President, Seepz Gem & Jewellery Manufacturers' Association (SGJMA), and Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC, presented a ...