KP gems, jewellery traders discuss formalising informal trade

By PESHAWAR: Member of the Advisory Council Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Industries, Commerce and Technical Education Dr Muhammad Irshad has assured full support to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Gems and Jewellery Association (KPGJA) to formalise gems trade, promote value addition and address business-related hurdles. He gave the assurance during a meeting with a delegation of KPGJA, led by its president Muhammad Salman Niazi. Officials of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BOIT) including Director Iqbal Sarwar and Manager Akhtar were also present on the occasion. The participants discussed challenges facing the province's gems and jewellery sectors, with particular emphasis on bringing informal trade into the documented economy to increase foreign exchange earnings and promote exports in line with international standards. Dr Irshad said in collaboration with KP-BOIT, every step will be taken to facilitate businesses, encourage value addition and remove trade-related barriers to improve the competitiveness of local products in international markets. President KPGJA Salman Niazi informed the meeting that a KPGJA delegation would visit Germany to participate in an international exhibition to showcase the province's gemstones and traditional jewellery. He said three association members had arrived in Germany three days earlier to make arrangements for the delegation's participation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026