Gold and Jewellery Group promotes Dubai as jewellery hub in Mumbai

Senior Government officials from Dubai Customs and Dubai Airport Free Zone, together with Dubai Metals and Commodities Centre (DMCC) also joined the delegation, which addressed over 200 top Indian jewellery manufacturers and exporters.

There was a great deal of interest as the trade event covered all aspects of jewellery trade with Dubai, from transport and import to security and manufacturing.

Emirates Transguard, the security services provider of Emirates Airline, has perhaps the largest international network for the transport of valuable cargo, ensuring ease of import for Dubai's jewellery traders.

'I am very pleased with the response at this event,' said Tawhid Abdullah, Chairman of the Gold and Jewellery Group. 'The Indian subcontinent is a major trading partner for us in Dubai, and we wanted to reach out directly. There is no doubt that the Indian community plays a big role in jewellery sales. Over 60% of sales are in the 22 karat market.'

'Dubai is the region's major import/re-export/export centre. In addition to retail and wholesale activity, the city is also becoming a growing manufacturing centre, with almost 60% of the high karatage traditional Indian and Arabic jewellery in the market being made here. This trip is to help us foster closer relations with our Indian partners, and also to look for new business avenues both for them and for us in the world of jewellery.'

He added that the Group had helped organise the event as part of its ongoing mission to promote Dubai as the 'City of Gold and Jewellery'.

DMCC also used the opportunity to target Indian manufacturers for the purpose built jewellery manufacturing units in the commodities centre.

An association of more than 475 gold and jewellery outlets in Dubai, the Gold and Jewellery Group is responsible for promoting and improving the gold and jewellery trade in Dubai.