ISLAMABAD, Feb 4: The government is considering a package for gems and jewellery industry to develop it on an organized pattern and enhance its exports. An official told Dawn on Saturday that the package would include loans from banks and financial institutions for imports of raw materials, machinery and equipment used in the manufacturing of gold, jewellery and precious stones.

The ministry of commerce is also considering a pilot project to be established in the export processing zone in Karachi, added the official.

There are more than 20,000 firms operating in the jewellery sector some are organized under the umbrella of different trade unions but major part of the industry is unorganized. The small firms are operating with the help of freelance craftsmen while the tools and techniques are traditional.

According to the official, the debt equity ratio was quite unfavourable from the financial institutions for the gold and jewellery sector but the fact was that huge investment was required in the raw material – gold — which was the main hindrance in establishing a jewellery manufacturing factory in the country.

The sources said that it was under consideration to increase the export of jewellery exclusively to Middle East, United Kingdom and United States, where a large number of South Asian immigrants were residing.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary in the dock
Updated 22 Feb, 2025

Judiciary in the dock

Recent developments in SC and IHC certainly seem to have lent credibility to perception that judges perceived as a 'threat’ are being sidelined.
Paying taxes
22 Feb, 2025

Paying taxes

FINANCE Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb’s ‘hard talk’ at a retail business conference on Thursday was long ...
Rules for thee
22 Feb, 2025

Rules for thee

IT was a year ago when, in the tumultuous aftermath of the 2024 elections, the state banned X. Today, it remains...
Ukraine initiative
Updated 21 Feb, 2025

Ukraine initiative

Whether Trump’s Ukraine peace initiative succeeds or not, it will be difficult for Kyiv, Europe to face Russian military machine without US support.
High cost of SOEs
21 Feb, 2025

High cost of SOEs

THERE are losses and then some. The finance ministry’s latest overview of the federally owned state enterprises...
Poor impression
21 Feb, 2025

Poor impression

RECENT developments in the Senate have provided cause for concern on how parliamentary business is being conducted....