[🇧🇩] Jewelry Industry in Bangladesh

[Saif]

Gold price cut by Tk 1,259 per bhori

The prices of gold have been revised downward due to a fall in pure gold prices in the local market. Bangladesh Jewellers’ Association (Bajus) on Saturday reduced the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 1,259, fixing the price of the high-quality gold per bhori (11.664 grammes) at Tk 137,449. The

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Gold price cut by Tk 1,259 per bhori
FE Online Desk
Published :
Sep 28, 2024 20:33
Updated :
Sep 28, 2024 20:33

The prices of gold have been revised downward due to a fall in pure gold prices in the local market.

Bangladesh Jewellers’ Association (Bajus) on Saturday reduced the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 1,259, fixing the price of the high-quality gold per bhori (11.664 grammes) at Tk 137,449.

The new rate would come into effect from Sunday, BAJUS said in a statement.​

 

[Saif]

Gold price crosses Tk 1.4 lakh per bhori

The price of gold in Bangladesh is set to break all previous records as it will cross Tk 1.4 lakh per bhori (11.66 grams) today, according to a statement by the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (Bajus)..Bajus said it asked its members to follow the new rate from Sunday due to the increased

www.thedailystar.net

Gold price crosses Tk 1.4 lakh per bhori

The price of gold in Bangladesh is set to break all previous records as it will cross Tk 1.4 lakh per bhori (11.66 grams) tomorrow, according to a statement by the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (Bajus).

Bajus said it asked its members to follow the new rate from Sunday due to the increased price of pure gold in the domestic market.

As per the decision, the price for each bhori of gold will rise by about 2 percent from the previous rate of roughly Tk 1.38 lakh fixed on September 28.

The price of gold in Bangladesh has been rising steadily for more than a year, crossing the Tk 1 lakh per bhori mark for the first time in July 2023.​

 

[Saif]

Gold prices hit new record

Gold price will be Tk 1,41,950 a bhori, the highest in the history of Bangladesh, with effect from tomorrow

www.thedailystar.net

Gold prices hit new record

Gold price will be Tk 1,41,950 a bhori, the highest in the history of Bangladesh, with effect from tomorrow.

The previous price of each bhori or 11.664 grammes of 22-carat gold ornaments was Tk 1,40,061.

The standing committee on pricing and price monitoring of the Bangladesh Jewellers' Association (Bajus) today in a meeting took the decision of raising the price citing an increase in pure gold prices in the local market.

The price of gold in Bangladesh has been rising steadily for more than a year.

In July last year, the price of gold crossed the Tk 100,000-mark for the first time in Bangladesh.

Gold prices have been rising for more than a year, influenced by hikes in the international market and volatility in its supply in the domestic market.

Although Bangladesh does not import any significant quantity of gold, its prices are almost linked with international trends.

In Bangladesh, the annual demand for gold stands in between 20 and 40 tonnes.

About 80 percent of the demand is met through smuggled gold.​

 

[Saif]

Jewellers cut gold prices by Tk 3,452 a bhori

From tomorrow, each bhori of 22-carat gold will cost Tk 138,708

www.thedailystar.net

Jewellers cut gold prices by Tk 3,452 a bhori
From tomorrow, each bhori of 22-carat gold will cost Tk 138,708

The jewellers have cut gold prices by Tk 3,452 a bhori for the domestic market thanks to a drop in the rates of pure gold in the local market.

From Friday, the price of each bhori or 11.664 grams of 22-carat gold ornaments will be Tk 138,708, down from Tk 142,160 earlier.

The standing committee on pricing and price monitoring of Bangladesh Jewellers Association took the decision at a meeting in Dhaka today, the association said in a statement.

The country witnessed the price of gold to rise above Tk 1 lakh per bhori for the first time on July 20 last year.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh’s gold market sees volatility with prices changing 62 times

Bangladesh’s gold market has witnessed serious volatility in 2024, with gold prices fluctuating 62 times throughout the year. Of these fluctuations, the price has increased 35 times and decreased 27 times. The first price of gold this year was fixed on January 18, with the price of a bhori

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh’s gold market sees volatility with prices changing 62 times
UNB
Published :
Dec 30, 2024 21:20
Updated :
Dec 30, 2024 21:20

Bangladesh’s gold market has witnessed serious volatility in 2024, with gold prices fluctuating 62 times throughout the year.

Of these fluctuations, the price has increased 35 times and decreased 27 times.

The first price of gold this year was fixed on January 18, with the price of a bhori of 22-carat gold set at Tk 1,12,441.

As of December 30, the price of a bhori of 22-carat gold was fixed at Tk 1,38,288. This marks an increase of Tk 25,847 from the price at the start of the year.

The Bangladesh Jewelers’ Association (Bajus) is responsible for determining the gold prices in the country.

According to the decision made in a meeting of the Bajus Standing Committee on Pricing and Price Monitoring, the price of the highest quality gold – 22-carat gold – was reduced by Tk 1,050 to Tk 1,38,288 on December 30.

Besides, the price of 21-carat gold was reduced by Tk 1,004, bringing the price per bhori to Tk 1,32,014.

The price of 18-carat gold was lowered by Tk 863, now priced at Tk 1,13,141 per bhori.

Traditional gold had also seen a reduction of Tk 735, with a new price of Tk 92,869 per bhori. These are the current prices at which gold is being sold in the country’s market.

According to Bajus, the highest price for a 22-carat gold bhori this year was Tk 1,43,526.

Gold was sold at this price from October 31 to November 3. On the other hand, the lowest price for a 22-carat gold bhori in 2024 was Tk 1,10,691, which was the price from January 19 to March 6.​

 

[Saif]

Gold emerges as an attractive investment tool as prices jump

Throughout 2024, gold seemingly became synonymous with price hikes amid economic turbulence, a weakening taka and plummeting interest rates on savings tools, making the precious metal a safe bet for middle and upper-middle-income people, according to jewellers.

www.thedailystar.net

Gold emerges as an attractive investment tool as prices jump

Investing in gold has become more profitable than savings certificates and various bank deposits as the price of the precious metal gained 24.53 percent year-on-year to Tk 138,288 per bhori in 2024. Photo: Anisur Rahman

Throughout 2024, gold seemingly became synonymous with price hikes amid economic turbulence, a weakening taka and plummeting interest rates on savings tools, making the precious metal a safe bet for middle and upper-middle-income people, according to jewellers.

They said many higher middle-class and middle-income earners in 2024 rushed to buy gold coins and small bars, while retail sales of gold ornaments dipped as much as 50 percent year-on-year.

Last year, gold prices were adjusted 62 times, with upward adjustments surpassing downward adjustments by 35 times, according to Bangladesh Jeweller's Association (Bajus) data.

The yellow metal gained 24.53 percent year-on-year to Tk 138,288 per bhori (one bhori is equal to 11.664 grams) in 2024, according to the association.

"Investing in gold has become more profitable than savings certificates and various bank deposits," said Masudur Rahman, vice-president of Bajus.

He said many people are now investing in gold for a good short-term return. "Specially the middle-class and upper middle-class people are now investing more in gold."

"Although the local gold market had been quite volatile over the last two to three years, it caused no concern for gold investors," Rahman told The Daily Star.

At times of economic uncertainty, brutal price pressures, economic slowdown or repression, people historically tend to hold on to gold as the metal offers gains somewhat immune to these bumps.

Besides, gold offers a high level of liquidity, which means people can easily turn their holdings into cash.

Since March 2023, the country has been facing stubbornly high inflation, hovering above 9 percent.

For savings, the price pressures mean that if the returns are below or equal to inflation rates, savers will be adversely affected.

With inflation hitting 11.38 percent in November 2024, currently available national savings certificates offer almost similar gains ranging from 11.76 percent to 11.52 percent.

In contrast, according to jeweller platform leader Rahman, if someone buys a gold ornament, coin or bar worth Tk 2 lakh and sells it within two or three weeks, they will pocket a handsome profit of around Tk 10,000 per bhori.

"And if they sell it after a year, the profit will be even higher because the market is consistently showing an uptrend," he added.

In June 2022, the price of per bhori gold in the local market was Tk 77,216, which has increased to Tk 138,288 now, down from the highest price of Tk 143,000 recorded in October last year, Bajus data show.

RETAIL SALES DOWN BY 50%

Amid the price volatility, local jewellers said their sales last year declined by about 40 to 50 percent compared to the previous year.

They said current domestic price fluctuations are due mostly to surges in gold prices in the international market and the local currency Taka losing ground against the US dollar.

Reponul Hasan, owner of the Jewellery House in old Dhaka, said that if the prices of any product fluctuate frequently, it will certainly confuse buyers and affect sales.

Due to the price fluctuations of gold, eventually reaching record highs, he said that his year-on-year sales have declined by 30-35 percent.

Jewellers' leader Rahman, also chairman of the Bajus standing committee on pricing and price monitoring, said that local prices are set in coordination with the international market and retail sales dropped 40 to 50 percent last year due to the price fluctuations.

If the demand of a product is high and it is not available in the market as per demand, the prices will naturally go up, he added.

In the global market, gold prices marked 2024 as a record-breaking year as robust central bank buying, geopolitical uncertainties and monetary policy easing fueled the safe-haven metal's strongest annual performance since 2010, according to reports.

According to government estimation, the country needs 20 to 40 tonnes of gold per year.

The commerce ministry says almost 80 percent of the demand is met through smuggling and the rest by recycled gold.

Industry insiders said that the high taxes on imported gold were the main reason companies felt more comfortable sourcing gold from unauthorised channels.

Bajus said that gold worth roughly Tk 73,000 crore is smuggled in every year.​

 

[Saif]

NBR plans to install nearly 20,000 EFDs in jewellery shops

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) plans to install nearly 20,000 electronic fiscal devices (EFDs) in jewellery shops across the country to boost revenue collection from the sector.

www.thedailystar.net

NBR plans to install nearly 20,000 EFDs in jewellery shops

In the first phase, electronic fiscal devices will be installed across jewellery shops in the Dhaka and Chattogram divisions. Photo: Star

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) plans to install nearly 20,000 electronic fiscal devices (EFDs) in jewellery shops across the country to boost revenue collection from the sector.

As part of this nationwide initiative, the tax administration has initially selected 17 districts, including Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Munshiganj, Manikganj, Savar, Gazipur, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Kishoreganj, Sherpur, Tangail, Jamalpur, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Khagrachhari, and Rangamati.

According to NBR sources, the administration issued a letter to the leaders of the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (Bajus) and held a meeting with them to facilitate the process.

The NBR is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting with stakeholders on Thursday to raise awareness about the initiative.

Genex Infosys PLC Ltd has been assigned to install the EFDs, as stated in an official letter issued by the NBR.

This initiative comes at a time when the revenue board is struggling to meet its collection targets and has recorded a year-on-year decline in revenue.

During the first five months of the current fiscal year, the tax administration collected Tk 130,185 crore, marking a 2.62 percent decrease compared to the same period last year.

Additionally, on January 9, the NBR raised value-added tax (VAT) and supplementary duty (SD) on nearly 100 goods and services, despite concerns that the move could exacerbate inflation and slow economic activity.

The VAT and SD hike aligns with recommendations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which approved a $4.7 billion loan for Bangladesh in January last year.

The IMF advised that the government rationalise tax exemptions, improve compliance with tax laws, and implement reforms to strengthen domestic revenue collection in the country, which has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios in the world.

The NBR's letter also requested a list of jewellery establishments located in various markets and areas under the jurisdiction of the Dhaka Commissionerate.

"If it is not possible to provide the complete list at once, it is requested to submit it in phases," the letter added.

Masudur Rahman, spokesperson for Bajus, told The Daily Star that in the first phase, EFDs will be installed across all jewellery shops in the Dhaka and Chattogram divisions.

The installation will continue in phases across the remaining divisions, he added.

Currently, the number of registered VAT payers in Bangladesh is just over 500,000, as a significant number of eligible businesses remain outside the system.

According to Bajus, many jewellery shops in the country do not have VAT registration. The government's revenue will increase if EFDs are set up across all establishments, as such shops would be required to register.

According to government estimates, the demand for gold in the country stands at roughly 20 to 40 tonnes per year.

The commerce ministry says almost 80 percent of the demand is met through smuggling. Bajus added that gold worth around Tk 73,000 crore is smuggled into the country each year.​

 

[Saif]

80% of jewellers remain outside VAT net

Around 32,000 jewellery shops in the country are operating without value-added tax (VAT) registration, apparently evading the indirect tax paid by their consumers, according to the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

www.thedailystar.net

80% of jewellers remain outside VAT net

Around 32,000 jewellery shops in the country are operating without value-added tax (VAT) registration, apparently evading the indirect tax paid by their consumers, according to the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

The revenue administration said that only 8,000 gold ornament shops out of a total of 40,000 stores are under the VAT net, and it collected roughly Tk 100 crore in the last fiscal year.

The issue has come into the spotlight as the revenue board moves to install Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFDs), or sales data controllers, to monitor sales at retail and wholesale stores across the country.

According to the NBR, installing the devices would help curb VAT evasion and increase domestic revenue collection, which is one of the lowest in the world in terms of gross domestic product (GDP).

Over the past 15 years, the government has been trying to bring retailers under the VAT net to boost overall tax collection by introducing electronic sales registers. Yet, compliance remains largely absent.

As part of its efforts to improve compliance, the NBR recently met with the Bangladesh Jewellers' Association (Bajus) to bring its 23,000 members under the EFD system. So far, it has managed to install only 1,000 EFDs in jewellery shops.

As such, the revenue board has requested Bajus to write to all jewellery associations and sellers, urging them to obtain VAT registration and install EFDs.

Badal Chandra Roy, general secretary of Bajus, told The Daily Star that they want to bring all such businesses under the tax net to create a level playing field so that everyone complies.

"Since 2021, we have made repeated efforts to bring other jewellery businesses under VAT and tax regulations, urging the revenue board to ensure compliance," Roy said.

He also said that VAT-compliant businesses are struggling to survive because of non-compliant ones, which can offer gold items at lower prices by bypassing VAT.

According to government estimates, the demand for gold in Bangladesh is roughly 20-40 tonnes per year.

The commerce ministry says that almost 80 percent of this demand is met through smuggling.

Meanwhile, Bajus estimates that gold worth around Tk 73,000 crore is smuggled into the country each year.

At present, jewellery stores need to pay 5 percent VAT on sales, and a huge chunk of VAT could be collected once all shops are brought under the tax net. This would subsequently increase the government's overall revenue collection from domestic sources.

Given this situation, EFDs will be installed in all jewellery shops in the Dhaka and Chattogram divisions in the first phase, said an NBR official.

Md Abdur Rouf, a member of the VAT policy division at the NBR, said, "This is a long-standing issue. It is not just jewellers—many other sectors also remain outside the VAT net."

"Now, we have taken the initiative to go sector by sector. We have started with jewellers. Bajus has said that it would cooperate with the NBR," he told The Daily Star.

Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), told The Daily Star that bringing businesses without VAT registration under the tax system is a "straightforward task."

However, the NBR has yet to complete this, which reflects a weakness in the government's revenue collection efforts, he said.

Given the typical transaction volume in Bangladesh, collecting only Tk 100 crore in VAT annually from the jewellery sector seems unrealistic, he said, adding, "The actual figure should have been much higher."

It should also be investigated whether those responsible for collecting VAT from these stores are receiving any benefits from them, he commented.

Moazzem further said that structural issues are preventing proper collection from many establishments, even though there is huge potential for revenue collection in remote areas.

To address this, he said, NBR officials should increase their physical presence in the field.

Besides, prompt measures should be taken to collect revenue from these establishments through digital means, added the CPD research director.

Currently, the number of registered VAT payers in Bangladesh is just over 5 lakh, as a large number of eligible businesses remain outside the VAT net.​