2014 gold imports seen at 500-550 tonnes: Trade body .

MUMBAI/LONDON: Indian gold imports may fall 70 percent in the final quarter of 2013 from 255 tonnes in the year-ago period and are expected to be half usual levels at 500-550 tonnes next year if new import rules are maintained, a top trade body official said on Friday.

To curb a record trade deficit, India imposed an import duty of 10 percent on gold, and tied imports for domestic consumption with exports, creating scarce supply of the yellow metal, and boosting premiums to a record.

As a result, Indians have depended heavily on old heirlooms and smuggled yellow metal to meet wedding demand.

"Year 2014 seems to be a difficult one for the Indian gem and jewellery industry so far as gold imports are concerned," Bachhraj Bamalwa, director at the All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation (GJF), said in an interview on the Reuters Global Gold Forum.

India, which may import a lower than usual 700-750 tonnes in 2013, is unlikely to ease the import policy or the customs duty until the trade deficit is under control, Bamalwa added.

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com