<p><b>A salesman displays gold chains at a jewellery showroom in Hyderabad</b> 
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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced on Tuesday the completion of the massive gold reserve sale it began a year ago, likely drawing to a close decades of bullion divestment from the public sector.
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The news had little impact on gold prices as the IMF had already said it sold more than 90 per cent of the total 403.3 tonnes by the end of October, but it marked an important turning point for the market, which has been lifted this year by the prospect of further buying by global central banks.
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Many analysts now expect the public sector -- led by central banks in emerging markets, especially China -- to become net buyers of gold next year as they seek to diversify reserves away from the US dollar and Treasuries.
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The IMF gave no further details on its sales, which began in September 2009 and quickly found willing buyers among south Asian central banks, including I