All Pakistan Commercial Exporters Association (APCEA) chairman Engr Manzoor Elahi has taken strong exception over reports about gemstone, mineral and carpet sectors, called them as fabricated and unsubstantiated. According to a press statement issued here on Sunday, the APCEA chairman has categorically denied the reports, which had come in a section of media, given by unauthorized and irrelevant persons regarding gemstone, mineral and carpets sectors. He said these persons are trying to enter and interfere in these particular sectors through backdoors for their callous wishes.
Engr Manzoor Elahi reiterated that APCEA is the only entity registered with Ministry of Commerce, Govt of Pakistan and authorized to facilitate the traders of these sectors especially toward enhancing export to earn maximum foreign exchange for the Country. The chairman also stated that many educated youngsters are utilizing the internet and computer technology and transmitting specimen and sample gemstone.
Unfortunately, the Pakistan Post International Mail office Islamabad is discouraging this practice for unknown reasons by returning the sample/ specimen parcels of worth below $100, thereby creating hurdles in widening the course of gemstone export. Our Association is corresponding with the concern quarters to settle this issue at the earliest.
According to the statement, it is also worth-noting that due to non-existence of pay-pal accounts facility in the Country. It is a fact that many Pakistani traders are utilizing this facility through pay-pal accounts of abroad for gemstone export which is depriving the Country from a huge amount of foreign exchange.
It further said the concern authorities are requested in the best interest of the country to interfere in the matter and activate pay-pal account to facilitate e-commerce in the country at least for gemstone exporters. This will surely boost export of Pakistan by reducing time and taxes of the exporters.
The statement further maintained that this association is trying its best to enhance quality and cutting of gemstone through high-tech lapidary to compete in the international market and get reasonable value thereof. For this purpose we are in contact with Federal and Provincial Govt departments to establish a modern gems lapidary' in Peshawar.
At present there is no proper technology to produce international standard gemstone and the country is losing precious foreign exchange on one hand and depleting the most valuable resources without any benefit to the local traders and manufacturer, on the other hand, the statement said. It added a case has recently been submitted to SMEDA Peshawar for financial assistance and I am pleased to state that they have been kind enough and committed to extend their support and cooperation in letter and spirit.
According to statement, it is worth mentioning that mineral departments has leased-out some of the precious stone mines to the unprofessional traders who are bound to destroy the precious sources like emerald in Swat by sub-leasing unofficially/ illegally many of the spots of the above mentioned mines to the non-professional contractors.
It maintained that the KP govt is requested immediate attention to take strict action in order to save the precious resources and this practice be stopped forthwith. It will be in the best of affairs to take on board this Association in the process of leasing out mines of precious stones.