Consider the following Statements : Statement-I: Switzerland is one of the leading exporters of gold in terms of value. Statement-II: Switzerland has the second largest gold reserves in the world. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation
* Statement I is correct In 2021, Switzerland exported $86.7B in Gold, making it the 1st largest exporter of Gold in the world. Switzerland is consistently the world's leading gold-exporting country based on value. (Please note: The list is dynamic & keeps varying yearly)
* Statement II is not correct. The United States is way out in front as the country with the largest gold reserves in the world at 8,000 tonnes (as of 2024).
* In India, the largest resources of gold ore (primary) are located in Bihar (44%) followed by Rajasthan (25%), Karnataka (21%), West Bengal (3%), Andhra Pradesh (3% ), Jharkhand (2 %). The remaining 2% resources of ore are located in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. (PIB 2021)
* India is one of the largest gold importers, sourcing 800-1,000 tons annually, mainly from Switzerland, the UAE, and South Africa. Imports are driven by high domestic demand for jewelry and investment. Gold exports, primarily in jewelry, target the US, UAE, and Hong Kong, supporting India's trade through its jewelry manufacturing sector.