KARACHI: Indians are keen to move further in doing business with gemstone sector and traditional stone studded jewellery of Pakistan, a spokesman of Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company (PGJDC) said.
Pakistani gems and jewellery sector has explored a great demand for Pakistani gemstones, mineral specimen and traditional Pakistani stone studded jewellery in Indian market.A member Board of Directors PGJDC said a great demand for Pakistani gemstones, mineral specimen and traditional Pakistani stone studded jewellery has been re-discovered in the Indian markets.
Due to efforts by PGJDC for the development of the gems and jewellery industry, especially in the areas of improving lapidary skills, mining and technology up-gradation of gemstones, Indians have planned to further their business with Pakistan’s gem and stone sector.The provision of complete zero-rating to the gems and jewellery sector would increase export of value added products by the Small and Medium Enterprises, he added.
The sector is enjoying zero rate customs duty and sale tax on imports of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, diamonds and gemstones.Pakistani gems and jewellery industry can explore new horizons for trade and investments between two countries.He said PGJDC’s commitment to give the industry maximum exposure to the international markets was evident in participation in international shows.
He said the exports of this sector which have stagnated at very low levels, just around $46 million would grow manifold and help achieve the ambitious target of $80 million overall export target of the country for 2011-12.
PGJDC is committed to enhancing the capacity of the gemstones sector on a continuous basis. PGJDC has already establised Gem Exchanges and Gemstone Identification Labs in Peshawar and Quetta with the purpose of providing a lucrative platform for the buyers and sellers of the gemstone sector at all fronts including export and trade facilitation and fully functioned gemstone laboratory.PGJDC is organising training programmes in different cities of the country for the workers of gems and jewellery sector.The courses are conducted to create awareness of gemstone identification with the help of different instruments and of gemstone classification in terms of natural, synthetic, manmade or assembled. – Dailytimes
