BAJUS unveils roadmap to transform jewellery sector into export-oriented industry

The Bangladesh Jeweller's Association (BAJUS) has unveiled a policy reform roadmap aimed at transforming the country’s jewellery industry into a modern, transparent and export-oriented sector.

The proposals were presented in a written statement by BAJUS President Enamul Haque Khan at the ‘BAJUS Jewellery Fashion Carnival 2026’, organised with a blend of tradition and modernity.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir attended the event as the chief guest, while Minister for Water Resources Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, former National Board of Revenue (NBR) chairman Abdur Rahman Khan FCA, representatives of various government departments and diplomats were also present.

According to the statement, BAJUS, established in 1966, represents around 40,000 businesses and 400,000 artisans across the country, with the livelihoods of around 2.8 million people directly and indirectly dependent on the sector.

The association expressed its deep gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for providing tax and VAT concessions to the sector in the 2026-27 national budget.

Alongside domestic reforms, BAJUS said its key objective was to develop Bangladesh’s capacity to export world-class jewellery to international markets.

Identifying policy uncertainty as one of the sector’s major obstacles, the association said simplifying import procedures through non-discriminatory policies could enable jewellery to be sold in the domestic market at least Tk30,000 cheaper per bhori.

BAJUS said implementation of the ‘Gold Policy 2018 (Amended)-2026’ could generate annual government revenue of Tk2,000-Tk2,500 crore from the sector.

Read More

Indian, US businesses keen to invest in Bangladesh: Commerce Minister

It also proposed allowing undeclared gold accumulated in the market to be disclosed by paying a one-off fee. According to the association, the move could generate Tk500-Tk700 crore in revenue while enabling the government to create a digital database of the country’s total gold reserves.

The association has set a target of establishing 500 new modern factories by 2030, leveraging the skills of Bangladesh’s renowned artisans. It said the initiative could create 50,000 direct and 100,000 indirect jobs and contribute an additional 0.5% to GDP.

To support this goal, BAJUS called for the allocation of 10 bighas of land in Dhaka for a specialised economic zone named ‘Swarnapalli’.

The association also urged the government to revise the outdated 2006 Rough Diamond Import-Export (Control) Rules and reduce excessive import duties to bring them in line with those of neighbouring countries.

BAJUS said establishing diamond-processing units at the proposed Swarnapalli could create 5,000-10,000 new jobs and enable Bangladesh to export around $2 billion worth of diamond jewellery annually by 2031.

It expressed optimism that, with modernised policies and streamlined import procedures, Bangladesh could export gold and diamond jewellery worth a combined $7 billion annually by 2030-31, potentially making the sector the country’s second-largest foreign exchange earner.

At the end of the statement, the association expressed its gratitude to the guests and attendees, as well as Carnival Organising Committee Chairman Azad Ahmed and members of the various sub-committees, for their support.