GILGIT, Oct 9: The Northern Areas government has set up gemstone marketing centre in the heart of the Gilgit City, capital town of Northern Area, which would offer multiple facilities to traders as well as buyers in Mineral sector, an official of mineral department said.

Talking to Dawn Shah Jahan, Deputy Director, Mineral Directorate said the market being official property included 32 shops and had been completed within two years.

He said the market would provide wider opportunities to the people from across the globe to buy myriad of gems available under one roof.

Constructed at a cost of Rs5 million the gemstone market would attract foreign investment to the region and local economy would surely be promoted.

He said Diamer Mineral and Trade Welfare Organization (DMTW), Baltistan Gems and Mineral Association (BGMA) and Northern Area Gems and Mineral Association (NAGMA) have been formed by the local traders to boost this sector which enjoys complete official patronage.

The official said the market would accommodate cutting, polishing units as well.

FRUIT NURSERIES: The government is making concerted efforts for development of fruit nurseries to promote this sector in the region to the benefit of local economy, officials in the Directorate of Agriculture said on Thursday.