Gold imports decline in September

New Delhi: After rising for two months, gold imports reduced to almost half in September to USD 2 billion, trade data released by the Commerce Ministry showed Thursday.

The imports shrunk 45.62 percent in September to USD 2.057 billion as against USD 3.783 billion in the similar month last year.

The import of another precious metal silver too declined by 9.23 percent to about USD 433.5 million.

There was also a decline of nearly 28 percent in imports of pearls, precious and semi-precious stones.

Export of gems and jewellery contracted by 18.81 percent to USD 3.64 billion in September as against USD 4.48 billion in the similar period last year, the data showed.