Faiza Tehseen

Enhanced and upgraded gemstone exports from Pakistan are crucial to unlocking a multibillion-dollar industry that promises abundant job opportunities and vibrant trade and business, said gemstone exporter and former chairman of the All Pakistan Commercial Exporters Association (APCEA), Zakirullah, in an exclusive discussion with WealthPK.

He said, “APCEA aims to elevate and modernize Pakistan’s gemstone exports through improved global merchandising. The country’s earnings from the gemstone sector fall significantly short of its true potential. This sector lags due to an outdated licensing process, inconsistent regulations, underdeveloped infrastructure, limited government funding, and low investment from both domestic and foreign sources.”

He said it is important to export a significant quantity of value-added gem products, including jewellery, ornamental pieces, and gemstones of various grades, in both processed and unprocessed forms. This will primarily help Pakistan’s gemstone industry align with international standards.

“To achieve these goals, APCEA is focused on promoting lapidary to boost gemstone exports, enhance export value, modernize infrastructure, and empower local communities. To this end, it is essential to promote lapidary as a cottage industry. This initiative will not only provide training in various gemstone cutting and polishing techniques but also help increase the number of skilled lapidary professionals,” he said.

Zakirullah, currently an executive body member of APCEA, said, “With the collaboration of all relevant stakeholders, including both private and government bodies, APCEA is making every effort to establish a progressive gem center in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). It will be a mega center showcasing both processed and unprocessed gems.”

This gem center will be developed as a ‘Gem City,’ complete with conference halls, auditoriums, exhibition centers, trade and business offices, and food courts. Security and residential facilities for visitors are also part of the master plan. It is expected to serve as a comprehensive platform similar to the gemstone trade hubs in Chanthaburi, a key gemstone market in eastern Thailand.

“The ‘Gem City’ will also function as a quality hub for training and skills development, gemstone treatment, processing, and lapidary services, all equipped with advanced tools and international laboratory testing facilities. Online gemstone trading facilities will also be introduced here. In the future, APCEA plans to initiate trade in cryptocurrency, considering its increasing legal recognition.”

Speaking to WealthPK, he said, “The government needs to offer flexible trade policies for the gemstone sector. To ensure a sustainable livelihood for the workforce associated with this sector, it is essential to maintain a consistent export cycle. Irregularities in gemstone exports—whether due to delayed decisions, policy gaps, or other government-related issues—are detrimental to the entire industry.”

Discussing the importance of consistent exports and policy reform, Nasir Abbas, a local gemstone dealer and lapidary expert from Gilgit, said, “In the international market, gemstones hold tremendous value. Regular exports help maintain a steady financial cycle for everyone involved in the industry. Most gemstones are mined in remote regions where alternative sources of income are scarce.

People in these areas depend heavily on the income generated from gemstone mining, processing, and lapidary work.” He said gemstone exports have been irregular in recent months due to certain policy-related issues. This must be addressed, as many people in mountainous regions rely on the income from gemstone trade—whether in rough or value-added form—to make ends meet, especially during harsh weather conditions.

He said, “Urgent reforms in gemstone policy are essential. Compared to the domestic market, international demand for gemstones is significantly higher. Even minor disruptions in supply impact all stakeholders. Therefore, policymakers must take immediate action to address and revamp the system to support both local livelihoods and national income.”

Credit: INP-WealthPk