Pakistan has the potential to increase its gemstone exports to $32 billionevery year, claimed Chairman Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerceand Industry (FPCCI), Qurban Ali.
He said gemstone exporters must go for innovation and adopt moderntechnology to improve the value of precious and semi-precious stones toenhance competitiveness in the international market.
He was of the view that the setting up of gem testing labs was the need ofthe hour to promote Pakistan’s industry in the international arena. He alsosaid that the chamber would involve the government in initiating theconstruction of gem testing laboratories in major cities of Pakistan.——————————
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He pointed out that such precious stones were primarily found in the Hunzavalley of Gilgit-Baltistan, in nearly inaccessible territories of hillyregions. After Burma, Hunza was the only other region in the world that haddeposits of blood-red ruby, he said.
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Further adding that some of the finest emeralds in the world were beingmined in the picturesque valley of Swat.
“Pakistan is home to precious and semi-precious stones,” he said. Addingthat to tap the complete potential, Pakistan needs to establish atechnology and innovation-driven industry to attract foreign investors fromthe European Union and the United States.
