RBI eases some curbs on import of gold; allows private agencies to ship gold

22 May 2014 Evaluate

In a move that will bring down prices of gold in the domestic market, especially in peak wedding season, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has eased gold import norms by allowing seven more private agencies for shipping precious metal, in addition to those already permitted banks. With this, gold imports by India, the world's No. 2 bullion consumer after China, could quickly rise from current levels as more than twenty entities, including state-run banks, private banks and agencies will now be allowed to import yellow metal.

In order to control burgeoning Current Account Deficit (CAD) and sliding rupee, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in July, 2013 had imposed severe restrictions on gold imports. The central bank had tied imports with exports and prescribed a 20:80 formula and the facility was only available to select banks.

However, with recent development, Star Trading Houses/Premier Trading Houses (STH/PTH), which are registered as nominated agencies by the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), may now import gold under 20:80 scheme, which would imply that an importer has to ensure that at least one-fifth, or 20%, of every lot of imported gold is exclusively made available for the purpose of exports and the balance for domestic use.

In a separate development, RBI also allowed banks to grant gold loans to domestic jewellery makers, a practice that was stopped last year. In absence of gold loans, jewellers had been forced to take credit to fund purchases, which substantially added to their cost and pressurized their profit margins.

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