Boost in Export of Gold, Silver Jewelry
TEHRAN (August 29, 2002) -- As soon as the facilities for the export of gold and silver jewelry through Mehrabad Customs were provided, the exported jewelry showed a 120 fold increase in terms of value a six fold increase in terms of weight.
Director General of Mehrabad Customs Mahdi Amrollahi told IRNA here on Wednesday that once export of gold and silver jewelry were facilitated as of March 21 1999, besides the remarkable boost in their export a considerable drop in smuggled jewelry was observed. Amrollahi added, "The export of jewelry made of gold, silver and precious stones amounted to 20,000 dollars in 1997-8, which climbed to 2.3 million dollars in 2001."
According to him, as of March 21 1999, concurrent with the extension of some facilities such as leaving collaterals on property and IOUs instead of cash deposits, simplifying the assessment process and goods delivery while boarding the plane, a boost was observed in the provisional import of gold and silver in compliance with the policy aimed at simplifying laws, reported IRNA. Pointing to a 77 percent drop in the smuggled gold and silver, he said, "The confiscated precious metals smuggled via Mehrabad Customs declined from 100kg in 1997 to 23kg in 2001, while a drop of 58 percent in their value from 3.065 trillion rials down to 1.3 trillion rials was observed."
He referred to 20 new jobs created as a consequence of varnishing each kg of gold and converting it into jewelry and said that the increase in the export of the said jewelry over recent years has resulted in creation of at least 64,000 employment opportunities.
According to him, the added the value of gold and silver ranges between 20 to 25 percent and if the industry is sponsored, its revenue over the coming 10 years will exceed that of oil. |
