Competitive: Policy revised to facilitate investment

ISLAMABAD: The government has updated its National Mineral Policy to facilitate investment in the sector and enhance its international competitiveness, with the consensus of all the provinces and the approval of the Council of Common Interests (CCI). The strategy is also aimed at mining, cutting, polishing and marketing of gemstones with a view to enhancing exports. The government is sponsoring training of locals in gem-bearing areas including Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan along scientific lines, along with establishing two gemstone cutting and polishing centres. The government is supporting the development and exploitation of strategic mineral resources at Saindak Copper-Gold Project, Chagai District, Duddar-Lead Zinc Deposit, District Lasbela, Thar Coal-Field, Chichali Iron Ore and Mianwali District.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2014.

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