The gems and jewellery exports grew by 6.04 per cent to $12.55 billion during April-July this fiscal as against $11.8 billion in the same period of 2019-20, on the back of the continued recovery in key export markets like the US, China and Hong Kong, GJEPC said on Monday. During July, the exports rose by 18 per cent to $3.36 billion. The gems and jewellery exports stood at $3.87 billion in April-July 2020-21. The export figures for 2021-22 were compared to the numbers of 2019-20, as the comparison with pandemic-hit 2020-21 will not show the true picture of export growth in the sector due to the low base effect. GJEPC Chairman Colin Shah said that with the continued recovery in global markets, rise in disposable income of consumers, forthcoming festive season at domestic and international markets, there are expectations that exports would grow further in the coming months.