Export of precious, semi-precious stones fetches $7.846 million

The exports of precious and semi-precious stones have contributed around US $7.846 million to national kitty during one year (July, 2014 to June, 2015). As per information provided by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) here on Sunday, it is exploring new international exhibitions to increase exports of Pakistani precious stones.
The Authority, to achieve the goals, also organises Expo Pakistan every year in which around 15 - 20 jewellery firms participate every year and are given a whole separate enclosure to exhibit their products to foreign buyers.
It said precious stones mining, cutting, polishing and marketing are mostly informal private sector activities and being a provincial subject as per Constitutional provisions, Provinces lease out specific area for a period of 5-10 years through auction process.
Presently, as reported by Provincial government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the annual income generated from precious stones is about Rs17.09 million.