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 the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) 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 to 20 jewellery firms participate and are given a whole separate enclosure to exhibit their products to foreign buyers.
It said that precious stones mining, cutting, polishing and marketing were 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 Rs 17.09 million.