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Untapped gemstone resources can earn $10-12b annually
Peshawar—Based on its potential in the mineral
wealth, Pakistan can become a hub of gemstone industry on a scale
comparable to that of Brazil and if government and business
community work together in this sector for the coming six years, it
could earn upto US $ 10 to 12 billion a year which is half of the
entire country’s export. A vast potential of mineral resources
including some very precious gemstones existed in the country,
especially in NWFP, that could generate economic activities and earn
precious and much needed foreign exchange for the country through
development of this sector.
The gemstones found in Pakistan were well known throughout the world
for their unmatched beauty and lucidity and with proper exploration
and value addition of these resources through polishing and cutting
could make the country a hub of gemstone industry worldwide. The
exploration of resources could be enhanced provided the government
was effectively involved with its people and the foreign investment
in the sector.
The major gemstone mining areas in Pakistan are Swat where emerald,
various types of quartz and epidote could be found in abundance.
Other areas are Dir (corundum, quartz, Garnet), Mansehra (corundum,
smoky quartz), Kohistan (Peridot), Chitral and Gilgit (Kunzite),
Chilas (Zircon) and Hunza (Ruby). “There was a need for adopting
more vigorous and courageous approach to promote technical know-how
in the mineral sector, especially in the field of precious and
semi-precious stones in the province,” said Chairman All Pakistan
Commercial Exporters Association, Jamshaid Khan.
Talking to this scribe, Jamshed Khan who is also Director Gem and
Gemological Institute of Pakistan, said that the volume of export in
the gems sector has enhanced considerably and it could reach to US
$12 billion in the next few years if all the stakeholders focus
their energies on it. Jamshid Khan said that the main purpose of
holding the 14th Gems and Mineral show in Peshawar this year was to
draw attention of customers from abroad as well as locals towards
the natural minerals of our country besides serving as a leading
international venue that bring together businessmen from across the
world.
All kinds of precious and semi-precious stones such as ruby,
emerald, topaz, peridot, aquamarine, tourmaline, kunzite, lapis
lazuli, spinal, garnet, amethyst and quartz, were displayed on 28
stalls set up during the international show. Chairman APCEA said
that the gems industry of Pakistan had made remarkable growth in the
past three decades that has helped in enhancing our mineral export.
The significant boost has been made possible by designs and product
quality produced by another institute Gems and Gemological Institute
of Pakistan established by APCEA and TDAP, he added.
Director General TDAP Waheed Raza Bhatti when contacted said that
they had taken a number of initiatives as articulated in the Trade
Policy of Pakistan to support the production and export of
non-developed sectors including gems and stones. Presently, he
added, a large variety of precious and semi-precious stones were
being exported in raw shape, which obviously fetches less price.
In order to address this issue along with the objective of
capacity-building and skill development of this sector, he said the
TDAP was continuously imparting technical training to unskilled
workers from all over the country in its Gems and Gemological
Institute of Pakistan (GGIP) Peshawar since its establishment in
November, 2001. The DG TADP informed that the institute had so far
successfully passed out 1512 students, 528 as cutters and 984 as
polishers. Some special courses conducted by foreign trainers with
the help of donor agencies have also been organized in GGIP.—APP
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