PESHAWAR, Nov 5: The 9th Gems and Minerals show, organized by the Export Promotion Bureau in collaboration with the All Pakistan Exporters Association at a local hotel ended here on Tuesday, with the organizers claiming it a great success.

“This was a big achievement given the international scenario after the events of 9-11, when the international buyers were afraid of coming here,” said the director general, EPB, Syed Asif Ali Bokhari.

He said that some 35 buyers from foreign countries, including the  US, UAE, Kuwait, China, Switzerland, Holland and Bangkok, attended the show.

He said that such shows were instrumental for capturing the international markets for the Pakistani exports.

He said that the EPB arranged five to six shows annually which enabled the exporters to get awareness about the changing trends in the international markets.

The government had established the Gems and Gemological institute in the city which had helped the exporters a great deal, because the 150 students, trained by the  institute, were involved in cutting and polishing of the gemstones. 

Prior to such shows, the Indian businessmen used to sell Pakistani stones with their own brand names, but since these frequently-held shows, the local exporters had been provided with an opportunity to explore international markets. 

Mr Shah said the NWFP exports had increased from $35 million in 1995 to $219 in 2001, which was the manifestation of the efforts made by the EPB.

As many as 28 stalls, displaying a variety of precious stones, attracted a large number of local as well as international buyers.  

The president of the All Pakistan Exporters Association, Mamoor Khan, told Dawn that he was satisfied the way the businessmen   had showed interest in the show. “This is very good occasion for me, I have taken a few samples and will order to buy some quality stones in bulk when I reach home,” said   Abdul Aziz, a Kuwaiti businessman, who said he came here for only 48 hours, specially to visit the show.

Some of the stall-owners, however expressed concern over the lack of buyers. They said the show was arranged simultaneously with the Munich show which prevented the buyers from coming here.

“The exporters earned huge foreign exchange for the country but the government did not facilitate them through extending loans to them.  The exporters should have also been imparted training through seminars to  inform them as how to properly present the articles at the international   exhibitions,” said an exporter.

He also suggested that the government should use the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation forum to promote Pakistani gems because the Saarc countries were easily accessible. 

Meanwhile, certificates were awarded to the 63 students, who completed their training at the Gemological institute.