The bigger, organised AD2 RBI licence holders said they will focus on export of currencies instead of importing currencies for travellers once restrictions are lifted.
“The pandemic will hit us for a minimum of eight months. No one will travel to the US and Europe as they are severely hit. People will avoid China as well. Question marks remain for other countries as well. All money changers have excess currency,” said Rajesh Rastogi, director at BPRN Forex and Travels.
“The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) should direct SBI and other PSU banks to buy currency from us. It might be easier for them to export surplus currencies. Export is a long drawn process and one needs bank guarantees. About 80% of the money changers are small players. We have to support our families,” he added.
Chaitanya Dhingra , director at Mark Forex Hub, said 90% of the money changers are sitting on excess foreign exchange stock. In an order on April 15, the ministry of homes affairs (MHA) stated all domestic and international air travel will remain prohibited until May 3 except for security purposes.
“The challenge is to sell our stock and we need income. Earlier, we were selling to private banks, which were exporting currency from India, but that has stopped as flights are not going out,” he said.
Sudarshan Motwani, founder and CEO of BookMyForex that offers currency exchange, forex cards and wire transfers, said unlike aviation or hospitality industry, the forex business is not so visible and small mom and pop exchangers do not have deep pockets.
