Kathmandu, May 18 : Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said at a programme that government had paid attention to unearth, process and export the valuable minerals. The valuable minerals which were left unused for lack of knowledge will be identified and capitalized, he added. PM Oli was saying this while inaugurating the Nepal International Gems and Jewelry Expo-2019 organized jointly by the Department of Mines and Geology and the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association in the capital city on Friday (MAY 17).
The expo has showcased the invaluable minerals, gems, and traditional and modern jewelries. “The gem stones found in country’s hilly region needs refining. It is not necessary to export invaluable things, but can be used ourselves,” PM Oli said, adding that the excavation of such minerals would generate employments and prop up national economy.
The processing and sale of the gems need to take a stride in the coming days, he underscored. PM Oli reminded that the policy and programme the government brought recently has given importance to the excavation and processing of the gem stones. It would be addressed by the coming budget as well. “Government is with entrepreneurs, so be assured and make most of it,” PM Oli encouraged the dealers.
During the expo, even the discussion would be held on how the gems could be used for trade expansion to ensure balance in foreign trade. Expressing the belief that the expo would help for the excavation of precious gems, its processing and export, he said, “The discussion to be held in expo will help the industry related to Nepali gems and jewelry. The expo helps to increase knowledge, technology, income and prosperity.”
Similarly, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply, Matrika Prasad Yadav, said that national goal of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’ could be materialized with the joint efforts of government and private sectors, and the expo was organised as the government-private sector partnership.
Although there was immense potential of gems and jewelry in Nepal, it was compulsion for the country to import it from foreign countries at high-price because the gems are being belittled as pebbles and stones for lack of knowledge. Ministry Secretary Yam Kumari Khatiwada said that the government has made preparation to establish a gems and jewelry processing centre. She believed that the expo would help spread information about the originality, diversity and specialty of domestic gems and stones and related products in the international-level.
Likewise, Director General of the Department of Mines and Geology, Dr Somnath Sapkota, said the expo was organised with an objective of processing, promoting and marketising gems and jewelry in the country. Sixty stalls of gems and jewelry related products are on display in the three-day expo.
