ISLAMABAD: Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) is taking various steps to help promote exports, especially those related to the mineral sector.
“The mineral sector produces a variety of products like precious and semi-precious minerals and gemstones in both raw and value-added forms. Across the globe, countries emphasise marketing of value-added mining products rather than their exports in the raw form,” points out Zulfiqar Ahmad, head of media and communications at RCCI.
He said RCCI had been regularly holding exhibitions related to gems and jewellery for last few years as it was an important segment of the minerals sector. “Traders and business persons from Pakistan and abroad attend these exhibitions, thus availing an opportunity to showcase their products and attract potential buyers,” Ahmad said.
He said RCCI issued its member exporters the certificate of origin, which was the basic document to export any product. “A certificate of origin is the list of exporting materials, their total number, weights and type of packaging. These products are then sent to a dry port or shipyard. After proper scrutiny and security check, the products are allowed to leave the country, carrying the certificate of origin,” he explained.
The RCCI official said the certificate of origin also determines the duty an importer will pay. In short, it is the basic document for exporters and importers worldwide. “To encourage its members interested in exports, RCCI processes the document within the shortest possible time.”
Ahmad said RCCI was also going to launch a display centre to provide a good chance for exporters to showcase their goods, especially raw and value-added mining products. “The display centre will give an opportunity to exporters to come into contact with foreign buyers.” He emphasised the need to establish small and large display centres in all the chambers across the country. “These centres do provide the visitors with an opportunity to have business-to-business meetings.”
The RCCI official said like agriculture, Pakistan was also rich in mining commodities. “To rid the country of economic crisis, it is important to strengthen the mineral sector.”
Ahmad said RCCI would also start organising workshops to train entrepreneurs to deal in minerals at the international level. “Establishing small workshops related to lapidary is also part of RCCI’s export promotion plan.” –INP
