Round Table Conference: Kerala plans to establish integrated Global Gold Hub

Govt. assures support in identifying land for the project

Trivandrum / September 17, 2026

Thiruvananthapuram, Sept. 17: Kerala is exploring the establishment of a fully integrated Global Gold Hub and Jewellery Park that would bring gold refining, recycling, manufacturing, hallmarking, testing, design, logistics and trade under one roof, with the proposed project envisaged through a public-private partnership.

The discussions on developing the proposed park on around 35 acres, with a gold refinery as a key component were held at a three-day Round Table Conference which began yesterday.

The session on the Global Gold Hub, held under Industry, AI, Investment and Enterprise department, brought together senior government officials, industry representatives, jewellers, manufacturers, financial institutions and sectoral organisations

In his introductory remarks, Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar assured government support in identifying suitable land for the project.

The session was chaired by Mr Harikumar, Director, Mines and Minerals, in the presence of Ms Sheeba George, Special Secretary, senior officials of the Kerala State Planning Board and KINFRA, and representatives of the Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants Association (KGSMA), Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and leading jewellery companies, including Bhima Jewels, Malabar, Kalyan, Regal Jewellery, Prince Jewellery and Galaxy Diamonds.

Mr Harikumar and Ms George highlighted the absence of licensed gold refineries as a critical gap in Kerala's gold ecosystem. The proposed hub is expected to address this gap by creating advanced facilities for refining and recycling old gold within the state.

Mr Harikumar said the Thrissur–Kochi corridor would be a strategic location for the proposed Gold Park as it accounts for a significant share of Kerala's gold manufacturing and jewellery production.

“Kerala has the potential to emerge as a major gold manufacturing and trading hub, drawing lessons from established international centres such as Dubai's Gold Souk,” he pointed out. He also stated that Kerala can be India’s largest gold-consuming state.

The officials also identified the absence of licensed refineries as a critical gap and proposed advanced facilities to refine and recycle old gold within the state.

Representatives of the gold and jewellery industry supported the concept of an integrated park, emphasising the need for advanced manufacturing technologies, modern design facilities, stronger marketing and sales infrastructure, and structured skill development.

The participants also discussed the need for policy and regulatory reforms to facilitate the formalisation of the unorganised gold sector, besides examining international models, including those in Turkey and Dubai.

Concluding the session, Mr Harikumar said the discussions had reaffirmed the potential for a fully integrated Gold Hub and Jewellery Park in Kerala, supported by the state's substantial gold consumption, skilled artisan base and established jewellery industry.

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