India and Colombia used the 7th November 2025 Global Connect webinar, jointly hosted by GJEPC and the Embassy of India in Colombia, to outline a relationship with obvious potential but limited current trade.<\/p>\n
Opening the session, Dr Vineet Kumar, First Secretary (Commerce), Embassy of India in Colombia, said the Global Connect series aims to connect businesses from both countries and open new areas of collaboration. He noted that despite clear complementarities, especially Colombia\u2019s emeralds and India\u2019s manufacturing strength, trade between the two remains underdeveloped.<\/p>\n
The current bilateral trade stands at $4.72 billion, with India exporting $1.47 billion and importing $3.25 billion from Colombia. India captures only 1-2% of Colombia\u2019s jewellery imports, while its own imports from Colombia are almost entirely gold. A key point identified on both sides was emerald traceability. Colombian speakers acknowledged gaps in certification, and Indian buyers said clearer documentation would directly lift purchasing confidence.<\/p>\n
Shri Tariq Thomas, Director, Export Promotion, Gems and Jewellery, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, said Colombia is among the key markets India is looking to engage as it expands its outreach in Latin America.<\/p>\n
Colombia\u2019s market is centred on small scale, designer driven jewellery, with most retail prices in the USD 80-100 range and fine jewellery beginning around USD 250. The preference for artisanal work and cultural identity suggests room for India to supply competitively priced gemstone, silver and fashion jewellery, backed by a wide manufacturing base.<\/p>\n
Indian participants pointed to their strengths in diamonds, coloured gemstones, silver, lab grown diamonds and flexible production across multiple gold purities.<\/p>\n
Several comments highlighted that the real gap is information, not distance. Buyers and manufacturers on both sides lack familiarity with each other\u2019s market structures, regulations and product expectations. Bogota remains the country\u2019s primary jewellery hub and the main entry point for trade.<\/p>\n
Mr. Ashish Borda, Convener – PMBD, GJEPC, presented an overview of India\u2019s gems and jewellery industry, its export strengths across diamonds, gold, silver, coloured gemstones and lab-grown diamonds, and the Council\u2019s global activities.<\/p>\n
Dr. Rashmi Arora, Economist, Research & Statistics Division, GJEPC, said there is a strong basis for trade synergies: Colombia produces 60-70% of the world’s finest emeralds, prized for their clarity and deep colour, while India possesses world-class expertise in gemstone processing, cutting, and polishing at competitive costs. This combination creates a \u201cnatural partnership\u201d to enhance product diversity and expand presence in luxury markets.<\/p>\n
Both sides saw joint design work as an early, low-risk opportunity. GJEPC invited Colombian buyers to IGJS Jaipur 2026, positioning it as the most efficient way to evaluate India\u2019s capabilities. The Embassy added that consistent, in person engagement will be necessary if the sector is to move beyond exploration and into steady trade.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
India and Colombia used the 7th November 2025 Global Connect webinar, jointly hosted by GJEPC and the Embassy of India in Colombia, to outline a relationship with obvious potential but limited current trade. Opening the session, Dr Vineet Kumar, First Secretary (Commerce), Embassy of India in Colombia, said the Global Connect series aims to connect…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34953,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[91,112],"tags":[],"thb-sponsors":[],"class_list":["post-34952","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","category-international"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n