LAHORE: Gold Art Promotion Council-Pakistan (GAPC-Pakistan) has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Commerce for the free trade with India in the gems and jewellery sector.
In a letter sent to the Commerce Minister Humayum Akhtar Khan and Secretary Commerce, Asif Ali Shah, the President GAPC-Pakistan, Muhammad Ahmad requested the ministry high-ups to consider the importance of gems and jewellery sector in the Trade Policy-2006-07. 
Muhammad Ahmad urged the commerce minister and secretary that as Pakistan and India are coming closer with each other after more than fifty years, it is better to start initiative in the jewellery sector for the purpose of promoting this newly declared industry. 
The GAPC-Pakistan drew their attention to the deplorable condition of the gems & jewellery sector in the country, which was neglected in the past. He also suggested to the government of Pakistan to take out the gems & jewellery sector from the 687 items negative list of trade with India. 
At the end he expressed the hope that the government will give due consideration to the GAPC-Pakistan proposal in the next trade policy and provide an opportunity to the gems and jewellery sector to stand on its feet.