PM Orders Time-Bound Plan to Boost Gemstone Exports

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, October 14, directed officials to submit a comprehensive, time-bound action plan by next week to develop the gemstones and jewellery sector and increase exports. Chairing a review meeting in Islamabad, he called for a complete system covering gemstone mining, cutting, polishing and value addition, and for remaining obstacles to pilot projects and model gemstone mines to be removed.

Prime Minister’s Directions

• Develop a “Brand Pakistan” for gemstones and jewellery, following the example of other countries in the region.

• Establish Centres of Excellence for value addition at an early date.

• Take priority measures to increase exports of gemstones and minerals, given Pakistan’s abundant natural resources.

Progress Reported to the Meeting

• 4.8 kanals of land have been transferred for a Centre of Excellence in Hussainabad, Skardu, where funding is available and construction is expected to begin soon.

• Land has been identified in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Islamabad, and the Islamabad centre will begin operating at an alternative location until its permanent building is ready.

• Geological mapping of identified areas is complete, and eight new blocks in Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been identified for further exploration.

• Rs1 billion has been allocated under the Public Sector Development Programme this year, and Export Facilitation Desks have been set up at 80 branches of 10 banks in seven cities.