Despite having great potential in gemstones, Pakistan has been unable to tap the riches due to poor marketing, improper business facilities, and unskilled workforce. “By establishing a gemstones city, Pakistan can earn a fortune,” said Minhajuddin Shah, Chairman of All Pakistan Commercial Exporters Association (APSEA), while talking to WealthPK. He said APSEA planned to develop a gems city on the same lines as the modern gemstone market in Talad Ploy, which is called the City of Gemstones, located close to the traditional gems market of Chanthaburi in Thailand. “APSEA is a major stakeholder in Pakistan’s gemstone industry as it exported gemstones worth $7.60 million during the fiscal year 2021-22.” Minhajuddin said Pakistan was bestowed with precious stones like emeralds, ruby, sapphire and topaz.

“The emeralds of Swat, Shangla and Chitral are matchless. The pink topaz of Katlang in Mardan is found nowhere in the world.” He said the gemstone city proposed to be established in Peshawar would be a great market equipped with all salient features. “The Namak Mandi (bazaar) in Peshawar is a world’s famous place for trade and business of gemstones.” He said a gems city should also be established in Islamabad to help increase the exports of gemstones and other minerals. Sharing the APSEA’s vision, Minhajuddin said the gems city in Peshawar would have every facility, including training centres of quality lapidary, synthetic production and mining techniques. He said APSEA also planned to provide short training courses and university-level formal education to students concerning gems and gemmology, minerals, geology and other related fields. “The gems city will have at least 1,000 to 2,000 gems and gems craftsmanship-related shops. State-of-the-art display centres, conference rooms, expo centres, and luxury hotels will also be found there.”

Minhajuddin said the gems city would also have special clearance and customs dealing booths, cargo handling, bank, money exchange, and transportation facilities.The APSEA chairman sought the government’s help in setting up the gems city. He said the development of such a market will go a long way in creating job opportunities, value chains, and another industrial sector.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)