Gold import bill to dip in FY16
Import bill for 2015-16 now estimated at $31.5 bn, almost 9% lower than 2014-15
 "Gold up 6.7% in Jan on renewed prospect as safe asset")
Tepid import of gold in the last two months (Feb-March) of this financial year will help the government save some foreign exchange.
The import bill for 2015-16 is now estimated at $31.5 billion, almost nine per cent lower from 2014-15. Import in February was 35-38 tonnes or $1.4 bn. March has begun with marginal import; due to jewellers’ strike to oppose excise duty, the month might end with gold import of $500-700 million (17-23 tonnes).
“The 2015-16 average price is likely to end lower by approximately eight per cent from 2014-15. Most imports were primarily during months when prices were lower,” said Sudheesh Nambiath, lead analyst at GFMS, Thomson Reuters.
The February import was half of January's, with a steep $30-50 per ounce discount to the cost of import.
The import bill for 2015-16 is now estimated at $31.5 billion, almost nine per cent lower from 2014-15. Import in February was 35-38 tonnes or $1.4 bn. March has begun with marginal import; due to jewellers’ strike to oppose excise duty, the month might end with gold import of $500-700 million (17-23 tonnes).
“The 2015-16 average price is likely to end lower by approximately eight per cent from 2014-15. Most imports were primarily during months when prices were lower,” said Sudheesh Nambiath, lead analyst at GFMS, Thomson Reuters.
The February import was half of January's, with a steep $30-50 per ounce discount to the cost of import.
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First Published: Mar 17 2016 | 10:32 PM IST