ISLAMABAD: The 16th four-day Pakistan Gems and Mineral Exhibition has kicked off.
The exhibition was organised by the All Pakistan Commercial Exporters Association (APCEA) in collaboration with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).
The show would remain open till April 24 in which a large number of stone and gem traders and exporters from across the country have displayed their products.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the show European Union Minister Alferd said the EU wished to enhance commercial relations with Pakistan. He advised the gems exporters to export value added products instead of raw material in order to get maximum monetary benefit from their products.
He also called upon the ladies specially those belonging to the Northern Areas of the country to come forward and make their contribution in this sector to earn their livelihood.
APCEA Chairman Zulfiqar Ahmed Siddiqui said the main purpose of the exhibition was to promote this export oriented sector which had a potential to fetch huge amount of foreign exchange for the country. He said the country had huge reserves of mineral resources and asked the government to facilitate the gems traders and exporters for the promotion of the sector. He also urged the commerce ministry to pay special attention to this sector as this had been a neglected sector.
Joint Secretary Commerce Taimoor Tajamul said that this exhibition would help attracting specially the foreigners to the unique varieties of stones and gems of the country. He said the ministry of commerce was fully aware of the importance of this sector and assured the APCEA that they would be given due attention to promote this sector.
