PESHAWAR: Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged the government to take pragmatic steps for provision of latest equipment, machinery and financial and technical assistance to promote the gems sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The demand was made by SCCI Senior vice president Sanaullah Khan during a meeting with Gems and Gemological Institute of Pakistan (GGIP) Director Peshawar Naveed Maqsood here at his office on Saturday. On the occasion, Director Naveed briefed comprehensively to the SCCI senior office bearer about the institute’s main objectives, key-initiatives, particularly issues attached with the gems sector. Sanaullah Khan highlighted the significance of the Gems sector, calling the sector a major source of earning foreign exchange, and needed to increase its exports, which would also stabilize the economy. He emphasized the need for provision of machinery, financial and technical support through the Export Development Fund to put the gems sector on modern lines. Mr Khan assured the senior official of the GGIP that the SCCI will take up issues relating to the gems sector, especially provision of financial and technical assistance and machinery with the federal government, EDF and other relevant authorities. The SCCI SVP praised the efforts of GGIP toward promotion of the gems sector and agreed with proposals regarding establishment of gems city, provision of financial support through EDF and others. Sanaullah Khan said the SCCI standing committee on the Gems sector would be fully functionalized. He said all issues attached with the gems sector would be taken up with relevant government authorities in an effective manner. Later, the SCCI SVP along with Director GGIP visited various sections and examined the process of cutting and polishing of precious and semi-precious stones, equipment and ongoing training to students in GGIP. Our Correspondent
