Myanmar has called on gem entrepreneurs in the country to produce quality gem products through advanced methods to gain foothold in both international and domestic markets.

Meeting with gem traders one day ahead of the opening of Myanmar's annual gems emporium here, Minister of Mines Brigadier- General Ohn Myint said that gems should be on sale as finished value-added items rather than being sold in raw, the official newspaper New Light of Myanmar reported Thursday.

Underlining that Myanmar gemstones enjoy good reputation and customers' satisfaction in the international market for their quality, Ohn Myint said with the development of the country's gem industry, Myanmar precious stones are in high demand, calling on the entrepreneurs to boost mining of gems out of the country's resources and promising them enjoyment of fair share with the state.

He also urged gem merchants to strive for the emergence of an established gem market in the country, while abiding by the rules and regulations set by the state.

The annual Myanmar gems emporium is due to open here later on Thursday to put the country's quality gems, jade, pearl and jewelry worth of millions of U.S. dollars on sale in a bid to boost foreign exchange earning.

The 44th annual gem show at the Myanmar Gems Emporium Hall and Myanmar Convention Center, sponsored by the state-run Myanmar Gems Enterprise (MGE), will last for 13 days until March 20 and it will be held on the basis of competitive bidding and tender.

Myanmar, a well-known producer of gems in the world, possesses nine gems -- ruby, diamond, cat's eye, emerald, topaz, pearl, sapphire, coral and a variety of garnet tinged with yellow.

There are three famous gem lands in Myanmar -- Mogok in Mandalay division, Mongshu in Shan state and Phakant in Kachin state.

To develop the gem mining industry, Myanmar enacted the New Gemstone Law in 1995, allowing national entrepreneurs to mine, produce, transport and sell finished gemstone and manufactured jewelry at home and abroad.

Since 2000, the government has started mining of gems and jade in joint ventures with 10 private companies under profit sharing basis.

Source: Xinhua