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This is an archive article published on April 13, 2003

‘We are still more reliable than a Swiss bank’

When do you think was the peak time for a hawala broker? Business started picking up in mid-1980 and it peaked around 1992.How is 10 years f...

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When do you think was the peak time for a hawala broker?
Business started picking up in mid-1980 and it peaked around 1992.

How is 10 years from then?
Hawala trade has slipped down by around 80 percent in the past few years. Daily transactions with Dubai fell from a high of Rs 400 crore daily to just Rs 50 crore.

The reasons?
There are various factors. But the main reason is the fall in smuggling gold into the country. This is also because the government reduced duty on gold imports.

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Was it liberalisation too?
In a way yes. Again this was linked to smuggling activities in the country.

Has 9/11 had any effect on hawala business in the city or country at large?
I don’t think so. Regular business is on despite the surveillance.

What is the important value in the business?
This business is based on 100 per cent trust. Which is why it is fast, swift and more reliable than a Swiss bank.

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