PESHAWAR, Sept 2: Federal Minister for Local Bodies and Rural Development Ghulam Ahmad Bilour has said that the NWFP was filled with natural resources and the provincial government would facilitate foreign investors to give boost to the mineral sector.

He expressed these views while speaking at the concluding ceremony of the three-day international gems exhibition here on Monday.

Mr Bilour said that the Frontier province was replete with precious and semi-precious stones and minerals and the whole world was taking keen interest in the region.

He said export of precious stones was increasing due to international exhibitions, adding that the government would facilitate foreign investors in a bid to promote the gems sector.

Ghulam Bilour said Pakhtuns had been deprived of their rights, adding that the provincial government was making efforts for providing basic rights to them.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman All Pakistan Commercial Exporters Association (APCEA) Jamshed Khan said that successful holding of the international gems exhibition was proof that the area was stuffed with precious and semi-precious stones.

He said that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) had played a vital role in the success of the international gems exhibition and expressed the hope that local and foreign traders would invest in the sector.

Director TDAP Waheed Raza Bhatti said the exhibition would open up new avenues in the international market for the gems sector and expressed the hope that it would help in enhancing gems export. He lauded the APCEA for holding the exhibition despite facing numerous problems and added that the exhibition would be held every year.—APP