Indian and Vietnamese gem and jewellery companies, which met on August 23 at an event organised by the Indian consulate in HCM City, agreed there is much potential for bilateral co-operation.
Indian and Vietnamese gem and jewellery companies, which met on August 23 at an event organised by the Indian consulate in HCM City, agreed there is much potential for bilateral co-operation. - Photo thanhnien.vn
They discussed the possibility of greater collaboration since India is one of the world's largest manufacturers and exporters of jewellery and polished diamonds.
The industry generated revenues of over US$40 billion from exports for India last year.
But Vietnamese industry insiders said the value of gold, gems and jewellery imported directly from India is not significant, with most of the imports being routed through middlemen in Hongkong.
Cao Thị Ngọc Dung, chairwoman of Phú Nhuận Jewelry Joint Stock Company (PNJ), said most of her company's diamonds were imported from India through a Hongkong company.
She complained about the high import tariffs, saying it was as much as 50 per cent including value added tax.
She urged Indian enterprises to sell gems, technologies and software for gem and jewellery trading management to Việt Nam.
Nguyễn Văn Dưng, chairman of the Sài Gin Jewellery Association, also blamed the high import tariffs for hindering co-operation between Vietnamese and Indian companies.
HCM City has 3,000 manufacturers and traders of gold and jewellery, who produce and sell nearly 40 tonnes of finished gold products a year.
Of them, 1,600 are members of the association.
Source VNS
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