CAD at comfortable level despite widening in second quarter : Raghuram Rajan

12 Dec 2014 Evaluate

Echoing Finance Minister’s assurance of rise in the current account deficit (CAD) not being a cause for concern, Reserve Bank Governor Raghuram Rajan has reiterated that the current account deficit (CAD), which widened to $10.1 billion or 2.1% of GDP in July- September period, was at comfortable level, however, he also acknowledged the risk associated to these levels. As per RBI data, CAD widened to 2.1% due to rising gold imports in the second quarter of this fiscal, up from 1.2% a year-ago.

The central bank pointed higher trade deficit due to rising gold imports was the primary reason for the spike in CAD. Gold imports surged 8.1%, while merchandise exports growth dipped 4.9% in the reporting quarter. The scrapping of controversial 80:20 gold import norm mainly led to sharp uptick of 80:20 gold import norm.

Rajan, however, highlighted the difficulty in maintaining the restrictions on gold imports for a long time, thereby emphasizing the need for relaxing such norms.

The governor though expressed hopes that with inflation going southwards, fixed income deposit would be turn more attractive and in turn reduce the imports of gold.

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