The 11th Pakistan Gems and Mineral Show attracted a lot of foreign buyers on Tuesday, who not only visited the show remained busy in purchase of precious and semi-precious stones.
A lot of business deals were also reportedly made in the show. The number of the foreign buyers, who visited the show on the second day, was 21. They were from Japan, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Canada, United States, Germany, India, and Sri Lanka.
The four-day show has been jointly organised by the All Pakistan Commercial Exporters Association (Apcea) and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). The show will continue till October 14.
Talking to Business Recorder, two Indian buyers, Pappu Soni and Chaman said they had got Pakistani visa after hectic efforts and recommendations from the Pak-businessmen.
Both Indian buyers, who hail from Jaipur, a renowned gem market of the world, demanded that both Pakistan and India should relax visa policies for the traders of both countries, saying the exchange of trade delegations would help promote trade between the two neighbouring states.
The Apcea chairman, who was accompanied the Indian buyers in the show, said they required Indians to visit in large number as they were interested in buying gem stones in rough form.
"We require participation of Indian buyers as the demand for rough gemstone is high in India. Indian buyers after polishing and finishing the gemstones, export them to other countries", the Apcea chief added.
Nature has gifted Pakistan with huge deposits of some of the best rare and valuable varieties of gemstones. The deposits are mostly exists in Swat, Hazara, Mohmand Agency, Malakand Agency, Chitral, Northern Areas, and Azad Kashmir.
The gemstones from the mines of Afghanistan also find way into the gems market of Peshawar, which resultantly is the hub of gems trading activity for local and foreign dealers, jewellers and specimen collectors.
Similarly, Saidu Sharif in Swat and Gilgit and Skardu in Northern Areas are other important trading centres of the region. Some of the important stones being traded include emerald, ruby, peridot, lapis lazuli and Quartz, etc.