Peshawar, The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is set to enhance its gemstone industry by establishing a state-of-the-art Gems Processing and Export Centre in Peshawar. This initiative aims to formalize the sector and boost its export potential, focusing on modernizing the existing gemstone cluster at Namak Mandi into a globally competitive facility.

According to Zameen.Com, the decision was unveiled during a pivotal meeting at the Civil Secretariat, chaired by Abdul Karim Tordhir, the Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Commerce and Technical Education. The meeting laid out strategic plans for advancing the region's gemstone industry, which is known for its rich deposits but has been lacking in formal processing and export capabilities.

The new center will be equipped with a Certification Lab, an International Mail Office, and on-site Banking and Customs services to facilitate the entire gemstone trading process. It is designed to attract and simplify operations for foreign investors by providing necessary permits and creating an investor-friendly environment.

Additionally, the center plans to host dedicated desks for facilitating trade with Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran within the next four months, aiming to enhance regional cooperation in the gemstone business. An annual Gems Show, supported by the Federal Export Development Fund, is also planned to promote the sector and showcase local products to international markets.

The Special Assistant emphasized that this initiative is expected to significantly boost the local economy by increasing exports and creating job opportunities, thereby enhancing the prosperity of thousands involved in the gemstone industry in the region.