Gold imports decline 5% during April-Jan to $26.93 bn

NEW DELHI: The country's gold imports dipped about 5 per cent in value terms to $26.93 billion during April-January 2018-19, which is expected to keep a lid on the current account deficit. According to commerce ministry data, total imports of the precious metal in the corresponding period of 2017-18 stood at $28.23 billion. Industry experts said softening prices of the precious metal in the world markets could be the reason for the contraction in imports.