Chamber of Commerce chairman Ampon Chatchaiyaruek yesterday said the local authority would provide a budget of Bt50 million to facilitate the plan.

It is expected the central gem market will be ready for business in the middle of the year.

The province is currently the country's second-biggest gem production and trading centre, after Chanthaburi.

Ampon said the province was an import gateway for precious stones like jade, rubies and sapphires from Burma.

Moreover, the plan to set up a central market has been taken before many Cabinets over the years but without success, he said. The chamber and local authority have, therefore, decided to press ahead with their own initiative.

To achieve the goal, the chamber has proposed the development of Rim Mei Market - a very active border-trade area - and the surrounding area, in order to focus more on gem and jewellery trading.

"We plan to create a trading area along the Asia Highway from Muang to Mae Sot districts as a regional hub, as there is such a high trading volume there," he said.

The centre is expected to lead to annual income of Bt3 billion from the gem sector, compared with the current Bt1 billion.

Sureerat Kruewong, president of the Mae Sot Gem and Jewellery Club, said the plan would help promote the province's image as a gem and jewellery trading centre. Moreover, it will draw more tourists.

About 500 gem and jewellery traders have set up business throughout the target area.