Experts say Pakistan’s gemstone industry has huge potential

Say careful and practical approach needed to tap full potential

ISLAMABAD: Minerals, especially gemstones, have a huge potential to contribute in the national economy of Pakistan. However, a careful and practical approach would be a key to tapping this crucial sector of the economy.

This was stated by Saleem H Ali, a professor of Energy and the Environment at the University of Delaware, USA, during a lecture on lecture ‘How can minerals contribute to Pakistan’s development path?’ held at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Tuesday.



He said that Riko Diq gold and copper reserves were still offering tremendous opportunities and hence, a right planning and proper use of technology and expertise was important to get full benefit from this natural wealth.

Ali was of the opinion that the dilemma with any mineral rich country was that such resources offer positive as well as negative impacts and hence, their rational use demands highly thoughtful approach towards the possible consequences.

He said that trade versus aid has been an old debate in Pakistan; however, it was important to know when to leverage each of them.



Earlier, Dr Imran Khalid of SDPI explained the importance of the contribution of minerals for the national economy. He said that although the opinions about the potential and capacity of this sector in Pakistan were diverse, the importance of this sector of economy could not be ignored.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2017.

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