UAE: Gold shops, malls see Diwali rush of Indian expats

UAE: Gold shops, malls see Diwali rush of Indian expats

Shoppers enjoy the first Dhanteras and Diwali without masks after the Covid-19 pandemic

Shoppers throng a jewellery store in Abu Dhabi. — Supplied photo

Published: Sat 22 Oct 2022, 8:06 PM Last updated: Sat 22 Oct 2022, 8:31 PM

Celebrations of the Indian ‘festival of lights’, Diwali, are in full swing in the UAE. Markets are bustling with happy shoppers enjoying the festival without masks for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic started.

Some jewellers reported 50-75 per cent more customers on Dhanteras, which marks the beginning of the five-day long Diwali festival and is considered the most auspicious occasion for buying gold. Price of the precious yellow metal dropped to Dh184.50 on Friday and stood at Dh188.75 on Saturday.

Tushar Patni, an industry veteran, said that all jewellery shops are packed with customers.

“Gold rate has gone up by Dh4 on Friday to Dh188.75 from a year-low the previous day but we are getting good flow of customers. Price is still less compared to earlier months when it reached more than Dh200. Buying gold during Dhanteras is auspicious and brings good luck. So, people are buying gold and silver,” said Patni, managing director of Ajanta Jewellers in Abu Dhabi.

“This year has been better than