Bahrain hallmarked 9.9 tonnes of gold jewellery in 2021

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

It seems like the pandemic woes had failed to cut the sheen of the yellow metal, whose demand has touched new highs during 2021 in Bahrain.

According to the Sheikh Hamad Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, the Undersecretary for Domestic and Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Bahrain witnessed a sharp increase in the quantity of precious jewellery received for analysing, as well as hallmarking at the testing and metrology services.

In 2021, he pointed out that the ministry hallmarked more than 9.9 tonnes of precious metals and jewellery, which is 60% higher than that done a year ago.

Sheikh Hamad pointed out that there was high demand for technical services related to the control of precious metals.

“This enhanced the position and reputation of Bahrain concerning the trade of precious metals and their safety and compliance with technical requirements.”

Sheikh Hamad said the ministry fulfilled more than 38,000 service requests during 2021.

Meanwhile, the total number of jewellery tested exceeded a whooping one million and 350 thousand pieces.

“This is in addition to the same-day examination and stamping services provided for more than 69 thousand pieces of high-quality jewellery inlaid with pearls, diamonds s and precious stones, an increase of more than 80% over the year 2020,” he added.

Experts at the centre also carried out over 40,000 non-destructive X-ray examinations of precious jewels, an 80% jump from a year ago.

In 2021, the ministry also carried out 3,400 inspection visits to jewellery stores to ensure compliance with the requirements of pearls and precious metals in Bahrain, a 38% increase from a year ago.

“We referred violating stores to legal authorities for further action,” said the assistant undersecretary.

The centre, he said, which employs only Bahraini citizens, control all commercial activities related to manufacturing and trade of Precious Metals, Pearls, and Stones of values.