India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX) has emerged as a game-changer in India’s bullion market, providing a new platform not just for bullion trading but also for hedging risks associated with gold and silver. With its advanced infrastructure and innovative product offerings, IIBX is particularly well-suited for individuals, businesses, and institutions seeking to hedge against fluctuations in the prices of these precious metals. Whether you’re a jeweller, an investor, or a financial institution with exposure to gold and silver, IIBX offers a robust ecosystem to manage price volatility effectively. Here is the Introduction of IIBX and how you can use this platform.
India’s bullion market, one of the largest in the world, holds a prominent position globally. With the establishment of India’s first International Financial Services Center (IFSC) under the Special Economic Zone Act, 2005, the country has taken significant steps to enhance its bullion trading capabilities.
The Birth of IFSC and IIBX
The Government of India operationalized the IFSC at GIFT Multi Services SEZ in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in April 2015. Conceptualized as a global hub for financial and IT services, GIFT City is the first of its kind in India, designed to meet or exceed the standards of internationally benchmarked financial centers.
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The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), established in 2019, plays a key role in regulating and developing financial products and institutions within these centers. By consolidating the roles of domestic regulators like RBI, SEBI, PFRDA, and IRDAI, the IFSCA simplifies the process of conducting business within the IFSC and provides a world-class regulatory environment.
India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX)
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 29, 2022, the India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX) is India’s first bullion exchange, promoted by major market infrastructure institutions like NSE, INDIA INX, NSDL, CDSL, and MCX. Established at GIFT IFSC, the IIBX provides a gateway for importing bullion into India, offering a global platform for bullion trading, investment, and vaulting services. Mr. Ashok Kumar Gautam is the first Managing Director & CEO of India International Bullion Exchange IFSC Ltd. (IIBX) at GIFT City.
Why Hedging is Important in the Bullion Market
Gold and silver prices are notoriously volatile, often fluctuating due to macroeconomic factors like currency movements, geopolitical tensions, interest rate changes, and inflationary pressures. For businesses and individuals heavily involved in trading or investing in these metals, these fluctuations pose significant financial risks.
Hedging allows market participants to mitigate these risks by locking in prices, thus ensuring stability in operations and financial planning. By hedging through futures contracts, investors and businesses can offset the risk of adverse price movements, thereby protecting their investments or business profits from unexpected downturns.
Key Features of IIBX
30-Minute Settlement of BDRs: IIBX is the first exchange in the world to introduce settlements of Bullion Depository Receipts (BDRs) every 30 minutes, ensuring quick payouts directly to buyers’ Demat accounts without intermediaries.
Multiple Fund Settlement Cycles: With fund settlements occurring at 12:15, 15:15, and 19:00 IST, IIBX shortens the overall trade process, allowing qualified suppliers to manage bullion shipments and cash flow more efficiently.
Same-Day Bullion Delivery: The streamlined settlement cycles enable same-day delivery of bullion through the IIBX ecosystem.
Becoming a Qualified Jeweller (QJ)
-To be eligible as a Qualified Jeweller on IIBX, an entity must meet the following criteria:
-A minimum net worth of ₹25 crore based on the latest audited financial statement.
-Engagement in the business of goods under specific ITS(HS) codes.
-Filing of GST returns up to the preceding month.
-90% of the entity’s annual turnover in the past three financial years must involve dealing in precious metals.
Once approved, Qualified Jewellers can transact on IIBX, benefiting from the platform’s efficiency and transparency.
India-UAE Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ)
Entities with valid India-UAE TRQ licenses are eligible to import UAE gold under the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) through IIBX. These entities can apply for notification as TRQ holders by submitting necessary documents, enabling them to participate in bullion trading on IIBX.
Silver and Bullion Trading
In addition to gold, IIBX actively facilitates the trading of silver bars (30 kgs) and silver grains (20 kgs). The exchange has already seen significant trades, including the delivery of 4.5 tons of LBMA Good Delivery Silver Bars and 1.95 tons of LBMA Silver Bars to MCX vaults.
Gold & Silver Futures on IIBX
IIBX launched its gold futures contracts on June 21, 2024, with plans to introduce silver futures soon. This opens up opportunities for domestic entities to hedge their exposure to gold price risks through the exchange, which offers lower margin requirements, transparent price discovery, and global XAU pricing.
Re-export and Global Bullion Bank Partnerships
IIBX also simplifies re-export of bullion from IFSC vaults without the need for customs duty payments, providing convenience for Qualified Suppliers. Global bullion banks are expected to play a significant role in providing liquidity, hedging, and supporting investment products through the IIBX ecosystem.
IIBX Team
Mr. Ashok Kumar Gautam, Managing Director & CEO
Mr. Ashok Kumar Gautam serves as the first Managing Director & CEO of the India International Bullion Exchange IFSC Ltd. (IIBX) at GIFT City, a position he assumed in February 2022. With over 36 years in finance, Mr. Gautam brings extensive expertise across banking and financial management, including Treasury, Bullion, Financial Institutions, Transaction Banking, Cash Management, Relationship Management, Credit, International Banking, and Trade Finance.
Previously, Mr. Gautam held the role of Executive Director & Head of Treasury at IDBI Bank Ltd., where he also oversaw Cash Management Services, the Government Business Group, and Financial Institutions. At Axis Bank, he was the Executive Vice President and Head of the Financial Institutions Group (FIG), leading as Head of Global Markets, Treasury, and Transaction Banking. During his tenure there, he led the Bullion business for over 8 years. His 22-year tenure at State Bank of India included significant roles, such as Head of the first Central Treasury in Hong Kong and roles at the Singapore Treasury and Regional Dealing Room in New Delhi.
Mr. Neeraj Gupta, Chief Technology Officer
Mr. Neeraj Gupta joined IIBX as Chief Technology Officer in July 2022, overseeing technology strategy and infrastructure.
Mr. Chetan Pabari, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Chetan Pabari joined IIBX in November 2023 as Chief Financial Officer, bringing expertise in financial planning, reporting, and strategic management.
Ms. Kirty Pareek, Company Secretary & Compliance Officer
Ms. Kirty Pareek serves as the Company Secretary & Compliance Officer at IIBX, a role she has held since July 2022, ensuring regulatory compliance and governance.
Mr. Vinod Ramachandran, Head – Clearing, Settlements & Risk Management
Mr. Vinod Ramachandran joined IIBX in August 2022 as the Head of Clearing, Settlements Operations & Risk Management, managing the exchange’s clearing processes and risk protocols effectively.
IIBX is revolutionizing India’s bullion market by offering a world-class trading platform for gold and silver, integrating global markets with India’s domestic bullion ecosystem. Through innovations like rapid BDR settlements, qualified jeweller participation, and futures trading, IIBX is set to become a major player in the international bullion trade.
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