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Asia Gold-Lofty costs smother purchases in top centers; China issues import quotas

A rally in gold rates stifled need in major Asian centers today, with dealerships offering much deeper discount rates to appeal buyers and bullion streams into leading consumer China expected to be helped with by the issuance of new import quotas.

A much deeper discount in the Chinese gold market is becoming significantly likely, reversing the current premium pattern, stated Bernard Sin, regional director of Greater China at MKS PAMP.

While the People's Bank of China has effectively safeguarded the yuan versus capital flight, the recent issuance of import quotas demonstrates a careful method to managing the gold market.

Dealers in China << XAU-CN-PREM > were using discounts of between $18 to $3 per ounce on the global spot price, compared to a $8.5 discount rate to a $5 premium last week.

Seasonal demand from China is not anticipated till later on in the year, stated precious metals strategists at UBS.

Integrated imports to China and India in July were down 58%. year-on-year, though the year-to-date volumes are still up by 5%. given the strong start to the year, UBS stated.

In India, domestic prices were hovering around. 71,350 rupees ($ 850.72) per 10 grams on Friday.

Costs have actually been highly unstable in current weeks due to the. task cut and a rally in worldwide markets, causing confusion amongst. retail buyers, stated Ashok Jain, proprietor of Mumbai-based gold. wholesaler Chenaji Narsinghji.

Indian dealers offered a discount << XAU-IN-PREM > of up to $6. an ounce over official domestic costs today, inclusive of. 6% import and 3% sales levies, up from recently's $3 discount.

Jewellers were positioning orders when regional rates were around. 68,000 rupees, but their purchases slowed after costs rose. above 70,000 rupees, stated a Mumbai-based bullion dealership.

In Singapore, bullion was sold between a discount rate of $0.30. to a $2.25 premium << XAU-SG-PREM >, while in Hong Kong, it was. sold between at par to a $2.00 premium << XAU-HK-PREM >.

Dealers in Japan << XAU-TK-PREM > offered gold at a $3.0 discount. to par levels.

(source: Reuters)