Gems and jewellery exporters on Tuesday sought a reduction in import duty on hold, silver, and platinum bars to 4 per cent in the forthcoming Budget.
In a pre-budget meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here, the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council said the Indian gems and jewellery industry contributes around 10 per cent to total merchandise exports.
However, the industry is currently facing some challenges due to the geopolitical scenario, the emergence of the beneficiation scheme, and issues related to rough diamond sourcing, it added.
Against the backdrop of the macroeconomic scenario, the council urged the government to take measures to revive exports in this sector.
It also requested to introduce the sale of rough diamonds in SNZs (special notified zones); and "reduce the import duty on gold, silver, and platinum bars to 4 per cent; and introduce duty drawback on exports of platinum jewellery to take advantage of India UAE comprehensive economic cooperati
