Jewellery Exporters' Association Becomes RJC Member

The Jewellery Exporters Association became a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council and unveiled its first sustainability report titled "Sustainability Action Plan Report in the Jewellery Sector."

Despite economic challenges facing both the country and the world, jewellery exports have shown growth. From January to date, jewellery exports reached USD 4.921 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. This growth was achieved through strong increases in finished jewellery exports despite a USD 300 million decline in raw gold exports. Finished jewellery exports reached USD 3.780 billion, marking a striking 44% increase compared to the same period last year. 

As an RJC (Responsible Jewellery Council) member, the Jewellery Exporters Association unveiled its first sustainability report. Burak Yakın, Chairman of the Jewellery Exporters Association, said in his remarks: "Today, consumers worldwide consider not just aesthetics and quality, but also the environmental and social impacts of a product before purchasing it." He called on all jewellery firms to comply with global sustainability standards as RJC members.

At the launch event held in the TİM Şehit Ömer Halisdemir Conference Hall to mark the Jewellery Exporters Association's RJC membership and the announcement of its sustainability report, MİB Chairman Burak Yakın, TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe, ORE Law Founding Partners Av. Aydan and Aycan Karagöz, RJC Board Member Satta Matturi, Umur Gençoğlu (Mioro), Göknur Karadağ (Goldenline), and Dr. Meri Taksi Deveciyan delivered remarks.

TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe noted that all exporting companies and sectors make invaluable contributions to Turkey's economy and said they are proud to follow the jewellery sector's export growth. Gültepe stated that their greatest motto is to produce for the world without consuming it, and emphasized that sustainability initiatives are important for the jewellery sector to reach new heights and will bring fresh momentum to the industry.

Burak Yakın, Chairman of MİB, who noted that the jewellery sector generates Turkey's highest value-added exports, said that in the post-pandemic period when international trade was disrupted, they took important steps for the sector's rapid recovery despite economic challenges and gold price fluctuations in Turkey's economy, and continued:

"Although many sectors experienced contraction during this period, jewellery exports under our Association's leadership recorded remarkable growth. From January to date, our jewellery exports reached USD 4.921 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. We achieved this growth through strong increases in finished jewellery exports despite a USD 300 million decline in raw gold exports.

Our finished jewellery exports reached USD 3.780 billion, showing a striking 44% increase compared to the same period last year. I draw your attention to the 23% decline in raw gold exports during the same period. (To those who criticise us by calling us raw gold traders, these figures are the best answer – the figures are clear: raw gold exports fell, while production exports rose 50%) If we add our border trade and passenger-accompanied exports to these figures, I believe we achieved close to USD 10 billion in exports."

Pointing out that the jewellery sector, beyond producing aesthetically pleasing and high value-added products, must also pay attention to environmental and social responsibilities, Yakın explained that they aimed to create awareness of sustainable and responsible production in the jewellery sector.

Emphasizing that membership in the Responsible Jewellery Council is an important step in this direction, Yakın noted that due to population growth and consequent industrialisation, and the rapid and uncontrolled use of natural resources, the concept of sustainability has become increasingly important.

Stating that sustainable practices do not follow the classical growth perspective but target balanced growth and development from environmental, economic and social angles, Yakın continued:

"It is based on principles of enabling resources to be used efficiently and passed on to future generations, protecting the environment, ensuring social justice and thereby making economic growth sustainable and fair. Today, with the presentation of our Sustainability Report in the Jewellery Sector and our membership in the Responsible Jewellery Council, we are taking an important step together that will shape the future of our sector. Our goal is to create a sector that continues to grow while adhering to sustainability principles and acting with a sense of responsibility. So what do we mean by sustainability in the jewellery sector?

• Using resources responsibly in production

• Innovative, environmentally friendly, low-emission production technologies

• Continuously improving working conditions, rights and social security of our sector workers

• Preparing our jewellery sector to become carbon neutral before 2053.

Today, consumers worldwide consider not just aesthetics and quality, but also the environmental and social impacts of a product before purchasing it. This awareness places responsibility on us regarding important matters such as more responsible production processes, more transparent supply chains and fairer labour practices."

Following the remarks, MİB Chairman Burak Yakın and TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe presented plaques to RJC Board Member Satta Matturi, and MİB Chairman Burak Yakın presented plaques to all speakers.