Jewellery exports likely to surge to $2.5 bn in 2 years

The FTA is likely to give a significant impetus to gems and jewellery exports to the UK from India.

- Viveat Susan Pinto & Krishna Barot

From $941 million in terms of exports currently, the jump is likely to be to the tune of $2.5 billion in the next two years, Kirit Bhansali, chairman of the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, said. "The agreement will open up new opportunities for growth, investment and collaboration strengthening trade between the two nations," he added. Some experts also see total bilateral trade in this segment doubling from levels of about $3.6 billion now to about $7 billion in the next few years. Imports from the UK are currently valued at $2.7 billion. This could double to about $4.3 b