ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has formed a four-member committee to suggest recommendations to increase the export of valuable gems and jewellery to the anticipated target of $5.5 billion by 2016-17.

The committee, consisting of secretaries of finance, commerce, production and chairman of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), will explore the potential of Pakistan gems and jewellery in the international markets and submit its recommendations to the economic coordination committee of the cabinet.

Chairing a meeting of promotion strategy for export of gems and jewellery here on Wednesday, the prime minister emphasised that equal focus should be given to the manufacturing and marketing of the gems and jewellery produced in the country.

Secretary Commerce Zafar Mahmood said the commerce ministry would facilitate the export of gems and jewellery by removing the procedural irritants and even revisiting the earlier decisions.

He said that under the auspicious of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) a Dazzle Park was being set up in Karachi which would provide the state-of-the-art facilities to the manufacturers of gems and jewellery to showcase products in an exciting environment and PGJDC would be taken in the loop.

The prime minister was informed that five training institutes of international standard located at Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Gilgit were imparting training to the youth who would go in the field to harness the full potential of the industry.

The Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company (PGJMC) also established five gems testing laboratories to promote genuine businesses and facilitate the customers both at home and abroad, PJGDC COO Bakhtiar Khan said.