PROVINCE REPORT
PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday assured the All Pakistan Commercial Exporters Association of his full support in resolving issues facing the gemstone sector, saying he would take up their concerns with the relevant authorities.
The assurance came during Governor visit to Gemstone Market here at Namakmandi. Chairman Iftikhar Ahmad. Patron-in-Chief Haji Mamoor Khan and other representatives of the association were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Iftikhar Ahmad said Peshawar’s Namak Mandi was an internationally recognised hub of gemstones but lacked modern facilities for gemstone testing, certification, cutting and polishing. He welcomed the government’s new gemstones policy and the decision to grant industry status to the sector.
The delegation said no major gemstones exhibition had been held in the province during the last 10 years and called for organising an international gems expo in Peshawar.
It also demanded establishment of a Gems City, a dry port, resolution of visa-related issues for exporters and removal of unnecessary restrictions on the movement and trade of gemstones.
The representatives informed the Governor that around 5,000 shops were operating in the narrow streets of the gemstone market and exporters were facing multiple challenges affecting business and exports.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was rich in mineral resources and the gemstone sector had immense potential to boost exports and economic growth.
He said he had also discussed the province’s mineral potential with United States diplomats during a meeting held a day earlier and stressed the need for holding meetings with relevant foreign embassies to promote investment and international cooperation in the minerals sector.
The Governor said an international gemstones expo in Peshawar would help project the soft image of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and attract investors and buyers from across the world.
Referring to regional trade, he said Pakistan continued to face major issues with Afghanistan, including terrorism, expressing hope that the border with Afghanistan would reopen soon to facilitate trade.
Governor Kundi assured the delegation that their issues, including taxation, establishment of a Gems City and other policy matters, would be taken up with the government for appropriate action.
