Key Highlights
- First gold jewellery shipment exported from Kolkata to Oman under India-Oman CEPA.
- India-Oman CEPA came into force on 1 June 2026.
- Indian gold jewellery and diamonds now enjoy duty-free access to Oman.
- Wonder Jewels exported the maiden shipment from Kolkata.
- GJEPC expects stronger trade ties and increased export opportunities.
- India’s gems and jewellery exports to Oman currently stand at USD 35 million.
- Industry estimates project exports to Oman could reach USD 150 million within three years.
- Direct exports eliminate costly routing through UAE trade channels.
- Eastern India gains a stronger role in India’s jewellery export ecosystem.
- Oman could emerge as a strategic gateway for wider Gulf jewellery exports.
India’s gems and jewellery industry marked a significant trade milestone on Thursday with the dispatch of the first gold jewellery shipment from Kolkata to Oman under the newly implemented India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), opening a new duty-free export corridor for Indian jewellery manufacturers.
The maiden consignment was exported by Kolkata-based jewellery manufacturer Wonder Jewels and flagged off in the presence of Smt. Arti Saxena, IRS, Commissioner of Customs, Kolkata (Airport & Air Cargo Complex), Shri Pankaj Parekh, Regional Chairman, Eastern Region, GJEPC, and other officials.
The India-Oman CEPA, which came into force on 1 June 2026, grants duty-free access to Indian gold jewellery and diamonds entering the Omani market. Industry stakeholders believe the agreement will improve the competitiveness of Indian jewellery exports, strengthen direct trade links and reduce dependence on intermediary trade routes.
Oman has emerged as a promising destination for India’s gems and jewellery exports. Current exports to Oman are valued at approximately USD 35 million, including nearly USD 10 million in gold jewellery exports. Industry estimates suggest exports could rise to around USD 150 million within the next three years, supported by improved market access and increasing demand for Indian jewellery products.
Commenting on the development, Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said:
“We have already witnessed the positive impact of India’s trade agreements, particularly the India-UAE CEPA and the India-Australia ECTA, in expanding market access and creating new opportunities for our exporters. Despite geopolitical uncertainties and the challenges posed by evolving tariff regimes during FY 2025-26, the gems and jewellery sector delivered exports of nearly USD 28 billion, reflecting the resilience of the industry and the benefits of market diversification. We are confident that the India-Oman CEPA will further strengthen India’s presence in the Gulf region and open new avenues for export growth. We thank the Government of India for its continued efforts to secure trade agreements that support the growth and global competitiveness of our industry.”
Highlighting the significance of the first shipment from Eastern India, Shri Pankaj Parekh, Regional Chairman, Eastern Region, GJEPC, said:
“The first shipment from Kolkata under the India-Oman CEPA highlights the growing role of Eastern India in India’s gems and jewellery export ecosystem. Direct duty-free access to the Omani market will eliminate the need for costly routing through the UAE, making Indian jewellery more competitive while enabling faster deliveries and greater efficiency. The agreement opens up new business opportunities for exporters from the region, and we expect this development to encourage more companies to explore Oman and the wider Gulf market.”
The development is expected to boost export opportunities for manufacturers across Eastern India while strengthening bilateral trade between India and Oman. Industry participants also view Oman as a potential gateway for expanding Indian jewellery exports across the wider Gulf region.
With the success of trade agreements such as the India-UAE CEPA and India-Australia ECTA already visible in export performance, industry leaders believe the India-Oman CEPA could become another important growth driver for India’s gems and jewellery sector in the coming years.
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