5-5-2020
India’s eight diamond production units at Surat’s Special Economic Zone and some units of gemstone cutting in Jaipur have resumed operations, while Antwerp’s four diamond trading halls will reopen next week.
Ten shipments of diamonds were exported from the Surat Hira Bourse to Hong Kong last Wednesday, reported by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). According to Times of India, that is the first shipment of diamonds since the lockdown in mid-March, straight from Surat to Hong Kong since Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) is still shut in Mumbai. The goods were delivered from Surat to Hong Kong via Mumbai in the past.
Following Belgian government’s permission to resume business-to-business activity, Antwerp’s four diamond trading halls will restart operations on 11 May, after a two-month closure. Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) has published guidelines for diamond companies planning to restart. Still, workers are recommended to continue working from home and respect social distancing of 1.5m at all times.
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