Hong Kong has surpassed Dubai as the world’s leading hub for Russian gold trading, according to a report by Bloomberg. The report cites data from Refinitiv Liva, which shows that Hong Kong imported a record $2.3 billion worth of gold from Russia in the first eight months of 2023. This compares to $1.9 billion worth of gold imported from Russia in the same period last year.
The rise of Hong Kong as a hub for Russian gold trading can be attributed to several factors. First, the Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar, which makes it a more attractive currency for Russian gold sellers than the UAE dirham. Second, Hong Kong has a strong financial system and a well-developed gold market. Third, Hong Kong has a long history of trade with Russia.
The increase in Russian gold trading through Hong Kong is likely to have a number of implications. First, it could help to prop up the Russian economy, which has been struggling under the weight of Western sanctions. Second, it could make it more difficult for Western countries to enforce sanctions on Russia. Third, it could raise concerns about money laundering and other illicit activities.
Implications for the Global Gold Market
The rise of Hong Kong as a hub for Russian gold trading could have a number of implications for the global gold market. First, it could increase the demand for gold, which could drive up prices. Second, it could make the gold market more volatile, as it could be more susceptible to geopolitical events. Third, it could raise concerns about the transparency of the gold market, as it could be more difficult to track the origin of gold.
Overall
The rise of Hong Kong as a hub for Russian gold trading is a significant development in the global gold market. It is likely to have a number of implications for the Russian economy, the global gold market, and the financial system. It is important to monitor this development closely in order to assess its full impact.