Kolkata, 15 July 2026: Kolkata, one of India’s leading centres for jewellery manufacturing and craftsmanship, today marked a historic milestone with the flagging off of the first jewellery export consignment to the United Kingdom under the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) at the Kolkata Air Cargo Complex.
The ceremony was held in the presence of Tapas Roy, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Industry & Commerce, Government of West Bengal, Yogendra Garg, IRS, Member, Customs, Chandra Kant Mishra, ITS, Additional Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Dr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner, East & Northeast India, Pankaj Parekh, the Regional Chairman – Eastern Region, GJEPC and Dr. Debjani Roy, Executive Director, SHEFEXIL
The Kolkata flag-off forms part of a nationwide initiative being held across Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, Jaipur and Chennai, celebrating India’s first jewellery exports to the UK under the landmark trade agreement.
Leading exporters from Kolkata— Jais Jewellery Pvt. Ltd.; Modern Impex; L. Gopal & Sons (Jewellers); AB Jewels Pvt. Ltd., JS Jewels Private Limited; Hasmukh Parekh Jewellers—are part of the inaugural US$10 million jewellery shipment comprising gold jewellery, diamond jewellery, silver jewellery and platinum jewellery.
The India–UK CETA ushers in a new era for India’s gem and jewellery industry by providing zero-duty access to the UK market from the day the agreement enters into force and eliminating UK import tariffs of up to 4%. The agreement gives Indian exporters a significant competitive advantage in the UK’s US$4 billion jewellery import market, paving the way for enhanced exports, investment and employment.
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said “Today marks a proud and defining moment for India’s gem and jewellery industry as we flag off the first export consignment to the United Kingdom under the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. This is more than the movement of goods—it is the beginning of a new chapter in India’s global trade journey. I sincerely thank Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for their visionary leadership in concluding this landmark agreement and for their unwavering support to our industry. The India–UK CETA eliminates UK import tariffs of up to 4%, providing Indian exporters with a significant competitive advantage in the UK’s US$4 billion jewellery import market. With zero-duty access, we expect India’s gem and jewellery exports to the UK to increase from around US$754 million to nearly US$2.5 billion over the next three years. This growth will create new opportunities for exporters, manufacturers, MSMEs, artisans and designers while further strengthening India’s position as a global leader in craftsmanship, innovation and value-added jewellery manufacturing.”
Pankaj Parekh, Regional Chairman – Eastern Region, GJEPC, said: “The India–UK Free Trade Agreement presents a transformative opportunity to showcase India’s exceptional jewellery craftsmanship to consumers in one of the world’s most discerning jewellery markets. With zero-duty access, India’s gem and jewellery exports to the UK are projected to increase from around US$754 million to nearly US$2.5 billion over the next three years. Kolkata, with its rich legacy of jewellery craftsmanship and manufacturing excellence, is well-positioned to contribute significantly to this growth. The agreement will open new avenues for artisans, manufacturers and exporters, enabling them to expand their global footprint while reinforcing India’s position as a trusted source of world-class craftsmanship.”
The India–UK CETA is expected to deliver significant benefits to West Bengal’s gem and jewellery sector by improving market access, encouraging value-added manufacturing, creating employment, promoting skill development and strengthening the participation of artisans, MSMEs and exporters. Kolkata’s long-standing reputation for fine jewellery craftsmanship and manufacturing excellence positions the region to emerge as one of the key beneficiaries of the landmark agreement.
The flagging off of the first consignment underscores Kolkata’s continued contribution to India’s gem and jewellery exports and reflects the confidence of the industry’s exporters in the opportunities created by the India–UK CETA. As Indian jewellery enters the UK market with zero-duty access for the first time, Kolkata’s manufacturers and artisans are poised to play a pivotal role in strengthening India’s global jewellery exports.
