August gold jewellery exports fall

Nearly halve in August on y-o-y basis to $561 million but log rise from July

Exports of gold jewellery from India nearly halved in August to $561 million, a leading industry body said on Tuesday, although they picked up from July, when the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) tied imports by the world's biggest bullion buyer to its overseas shipments.

The amount of gold jewellery India exports now directly impacts gold imports by the world's biggest buyer of bullion, as the government tries to curb a bulging current account deficit.

Exports fell in August to $561 million, the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council said in a statement, after a fall of 70% in July to $441.4 million.

Efforts to stem buying of gold, the second-biggest item in its import bill, include a rule that 20% of all imports must be turned around and sold for export as jewellery.

But confusion over how the rule would work had virtually stopped imports since the end of July. They are expected to resume soon after a high level meeting of government officials last week to clarify the rules.

India shipped $2.68 billion worth of gold jewellery in value terms from April to August, down 59.4% on year.