As has become customary, on these dates the College of Jewelers, Goldsmiths, Watchmakers and Gemologists of Catalonia (JORGC) presented its economic and activity report referring to the previous year. The presentation of the JORGC 2016 Annual Report was led by its president Alex Riu flanked by the third vice president Josep Miquel Serret and the head of the Crafts section Gemma López.
Overall, the balance is positive, since claims are decreasing and commercial activity is increasing, although everything has nuances. If we stick to 2016, the accident rate has decreased by 30% compared to 2015, however the first quarter of 2017 has experienced an increase due to the completion of the sentence of a gang of robbers who, once on the street, have returned to their criminal activity, carrying out two very violent robberies. This is why the College is urging the Legislature to reform the Penal Code, which without euphemism amounts to a toughening of penalties. In addition, they announce that they will be presented as private accusations in cases of damage to people or property.
On the other hand, they congratulate the effectiveness of the Advanced Alert plan implemented in 2011, consisting of a series of preventive measures that, in addition to keeping the jeweler in permanent contact with the Mossos d'Esquadra, facilitates communication when new types of scams or methods of theft are detected.
Regarding economic activity itself, the recovery is consolidated, with 2016 being the third year of growth after hitting rock bottom in 2013, when six years of continuous declines accumulated. However, it will take time to return to the levels of 2007, when 725 million euros were invoiced, practically double that of 2016 (346 million)... and when there were also twice as many businesses.
After these nine years of declines and - now - discreet recovery, the members are very conservative in their forecasts, and despite a good Christmas campaign (43% of those surveyed believe it was better than 2015, 34% said it was the same and only 23% said it was worse) they do not venture to give a growth figure for 2017.
Regarding manufacturers and artisans, things do not look so good: most of them foresee a slowdown in the growth rate... which last year was 1% compared to 2015. Since the peak in 2011, the price of an ounce of gold has not stopped falling, with a slight recovery in 2016. Spain represents 0.4% of the world's demand for gold for jewelry, a total of more than 2,000 tons. Practically all (88%) of the businesses surveyed have not carried out gold buying and selling operations to individuals.
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