
“Gold has been deeply entwined in Indian culture for thousands of years. Nowadays, India is by far the world’s biggest buyer of gold and those imports are an increasing drain on an economy that is growing too slowly to reduce widespread poverty. Last year Indians imported 864 tons of gold, about one fifth of world sales. The unquenchable appetite for gold coins, bars and jewelry has swelled India’s trade deficit and weakened its currency, making crucial imports such as fuel more expensive. Industry experts say there are signs that higher import taxes have encouraged smuggling, which hasn’t been a problem since India lifted strict gold controls more than 20 years ago.”
Related posts:
Rep. Peter King calls for NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden to be extradited from Hong Kong
Top Treasury Official: 'Too Big to Fail' Bailouts Are Over
Mongolian Stock Exchange reforms unlock potential of 45 billion USD
Syrian opposition leader resigns, castigating global ‘inaction’
Snowden leaks now threaten U.S.-EU cooperation on travel, financial data
Bitcoin Adoption Rate In Iran Surges Despite Censorship And Protests
We need to talk about Europe's 'right to be forgotten': Google
American Farm Bureau calls for end to federal ban on hemp
California poised to become first state to impose full ban on lead bullets
Indian in US? Your Account is Now Under Delhi Surveillance
These Are Heady Times for Glass Blowers' High Art
12 Days of Bitcoin: How Hard Is it to Buy One?
Big tobacco stubs out e-cigarette competitors
Robert Parker’s wine ‘bible’ moving to Singapore
Taxpayers funding study of link between marijuana, domestic violence