Responsible business practices ‘no longer optional’, says WDC President Feriel Zerouki

The president of the World Diamond Council takes time out of her busy schedule to tell Rough&Polished readers about the critical work of the WDC. Zerouki, the first female present of the body, which includes all the important industry organizations among...

14 october 2024

James Campbell: Botswana Diamonds optimistic as it enters uncharted territory of using AI for mineral exploration

London-listed Botswana Diamonds has expressed optimism about the company’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) to scan the exploration database in Botswana to look for new mineralised deposits. Company managing director James Campbell told Rough...

07 october 2024

Artur Salyakayev: For me, happiness is freedom to make my ideas happen and create valuable products

Artur Salyakayev is an art entrepreneur, founder of the International Jewelry Academy (IJA) and the INCRUA jewelry company. He has initiated and developed successful projects in jewelry industry and services sector. He is also a leading expert...

30 september 2024

Paul Zimnisky: China key for sustained recovery in demand for natural diamonds, prices

The curtailing of upstream and midstream natural diamond production in the past months is starting to have an effect on prices, according to the New-York-based independent diamond and jewellery analyst and consultant, Paul Zimnisky. He told Rough & Polished’s...

23 september 2024

Vladimir Pilyushin: The jewelry market is not stand-alone and moves by the same laws as other markets

Vladimir Pilyushin is editor-in-chief of Russian Jeweler, a leading magazine about the jewelry industry in Russia. He told Rough&Polished about his view on the evolution of the jewelry industry in Russia and touched upon some of its problems.

16 september 2024

Surat is now the first duty-free gold-selling city in Gujarat

19 april 2023
The sale of duty-free gold has begun in the Diamond City Surat for the first time through the State Bank of India (SBI). According to a Times of India report, the gold distribution centre has been set up following demand from the Surat Jewellery Manufacturer Association (SJMA) and with the efforts of the SBI.
This is the first duty-free gold-selling centre in Gujarat. Currently, 450 jewellery manufacturing units are operating in and around the city.
With the setting up of the duty-free centre, jewellery manufacturers from the city will get a level playing field with exporters from other countries. According to SJMA, the current capacity of the gold vault is 50 kg.
The SBI has set up the gold distribution centre at its main branch in Chowk Bazaar. Eligible jewellery manufacturers will be able to buy gold from there.
"To compete in the global market, jewellery exporters need duty-free gold. Countries like Dubai do not charge duty on gold for export to promote business," said Savaliya, President of SJMA.

Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished