GJEPC is deepening its engagement with Australia as India’s gem and jewellery exports to the market rose 16% to US$374 million in FY2025–26, building on the market access created by the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA).
A GJEPC delegation is visiting Sydney and Melbourne in Australia, and Wellington and Auckland in New Zealand, from 20–26 August 2026 as part of its trade outreach programme.
The India–Australia ECTA was signed on 2 April 2022 and entered into force on 29 December 2022. Under the agreement, Australia provides zero-duty access to Indian exports across 100% of its tariff lines, with immediate duty-free access for 98.3% of tariff lines. The agreement specifically identified gems and jewellery among the sectors expected to benefit from improved market access.
The India–New Zealand FTA, signed on 27 April 2026, is expected to provide zero-duty access for all Indian exports once it enters into force.
The impact is increasingly visible in jewellery trade. In FY2025–26, gold jewellery exports to Australia rose by more than 28%, silver jewellery exports by nearly 30%, and coloured gemstone exports by almost 36%, contributing to the overall 16% growth in India’s gem and jewellery exports to the market.
The delegation is led by Vijay Mangukiya, Convener – International Exhibitions, GJEPC. The participating Indian manufacturers and exporters cover natural and lab-grown diamonds, gold, silver, platinum, coloured gemstones and contemporary jewellery.
In Melbourne, the delegation engaged with Shri Anish Rajan, Consul General of India in Melbourne, and members of the Australian jewellery trade. The discussions focused on understanding Australian consumer preferences and retailer requirements, while connecting these needs with India’s manufacturing capabilities and product diversity.
The delegation also met Nicola Adams, Chief Operations Officer of Showcase Jewellers Group, which was established in 1981 by independent jewellers in Australia and New Zealand. The group has 126 members operating 155 stores in Australia, along with members in New Zealand and Vanuatu.
The market discussions highlighted differences in product positioning. 9ct gold is particularly common in mainstream Australian retail, while 18ct gold is positioned more towards premium and fine jewellery.
The programme has also included engagement with Indian diplomatic representatives. In Sydney, the delegation met H.E. Irina Thakur, Deputy High Commissioner from the High Commission of India in Canberra, at a dinner hosted for the Indian community. The delegation also met Hon. Julian Hill MP, Australian Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs and Assistant Minister for International Education.
For GJEPC, the focus is now on converting tariff access into commercial relationships. According to Sridhar Iyengar, Director – International Events, GJEPC, the delegation would facilitate B2B engagements, connect Indian exporters with buyers and industry stakeholders, and help businesses understand the requirements of the Australian and New Zealand markets.
The Australian engagement also comes ahead of the Jewellery Industry Fair in Sydney on 10–11 October 2026, where GJEPC is scheduled to present an India Pavilion.
With the ECTA now in its fourth year and India’s jewellery exports to Australia showing double-digit growth, the delegation is focused on the next stage of the relationship: building stronger buyer connections, understanding the market more closely and converting improved market access into sustained business opportunities for Indian exporters.