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Santhosh Chandran
DOHA
Jewellery makers in Qatar are expanding their production units to meet the local demand after the supply chain with manufacturers in the UAE was broken with the beginning of the unjust siege on Qatar.
They aim for 30 percent growth in production of gold jewellery to meet 70 percent of the local demand by the next year.
The siege affected the supply of some verities of jewellery from the neighbouring countries. However, major jewellery outlets overcame the problem through imports from India and Singapore.
Regional manager of a leading jewellery group with seven outlets in Doha told Qatar Tribune,"The local production of jewellery has increased 10 to 15 percent in the last three months, with the support of the authorities and the use of latest technology and machinery. Several of such manufacturing units are in a massive expansion drive with a target of meeting 70 percent local requirement by next year."
A senior official at a gold jewellery manufacturing unit at Ain Khalid said,"We are expanding our unit targeting to double the production in six to eight months. The increase in local production will benefit customers and create more employment opportunities in the country."
The months before some Indian festivals see a boom in jewellery sales in Qatar. Pointing to the high volume of sales before the Indian festival of Diwali, sales manager of a jewellery shop in Doha said,"Since gold is considered a permanent asset by Asian expatriates, the future of jewellery business is safe here."
Qatar has nearly 100 jewellery manufacturing units spread over the less populated areas outside Doha."We have recently hired 15 goldsmiths at our unit to increase the production by 50 percent. Authorities like Ministry of Municipality are very supportive to opening new manufacturing units."
Each manufacturing unit has an experienced workforce of 50 to 70 people working in two shifts.
Manager of an India-based jewellery group said,"At present, we are sourcing 40 percent of the jewellery from local manufacturers. With all the manufacturing units meeting their targets, the local supply will increase up to 70 percent of the total demand."
