One, Pakistan Initiative for Strategic Development and Competitiveness project was launched by the Ministry of Industries, Production and Special Initiatives in partnership with United States Agency for international development in 2004. The implementation role was assigned to Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) and J.E. Austin, a US management consulting company working for USAID. As Part of the initiative a group of committed industry stakeholders from gems trading and mining, jewelry manufacturing, jewelry retail and, training institutions, technical service providers, raw material suppliers and other allied industries, representing all the four provinces and federally administered territories agreed to form Strategy Working Group (SWOG) to address how the industry could position itself through a better strategy. Within 16 months from its inception, the SWOG developed the first ever mine –to-market strategy shared and agreed to by the private sector and the government of Pakistan. The methodology applied was studying the value chain analysis and recommending solutions to the problems and designing possible pilot projects for immediate implementation.

The strategy focuses on achieving three long term objectives of gems and jewelry industry through five tracts of strategic initiatives

Second was setting up Pakistan Gems and Jewelry Development Company, a non-profit public/ private entity incorporated on June 26, 2006, under section 42 of the companies Ordinance 1984. The main objective of this company is to uplift and enhance the competitiveness of Gems and Jewelry sector in the country.  The company aims to achieve its objective by promoting Gems and Jewelry supply chain in Pakistan by means of supporting and facilitating the gemstone miners, processors (cutters/polishers), jewelry manufacturers, traders (retailers/ wholesalers/exporters) and other stakeholders across the value chain and ancillary trades.

Affiliation with International Organizations-The Company has become a member of International Colored Stones Association (ICA). Confédération Internationale de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie et Orfèvrerie (CIBJO) Membership is in progress

The export figure of the fiscal year 2005-2006 for gems and jewelry sector was US$ 19.5 million which grew to US$ 39.6 million in 2006-2007. The remarkable increase was of 103.38 %, which shows the potential of this sector to be exploited through undertaking integrated development activities. Further analysis shows 131 % increase in Jewelry exports and, 19.45 % increase in Gemstone exports.

The participation of gems and jewellery exhibitors under the umbrella of Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company is meant to be competitive internationally and gain larger pie of the trade.

The trade fair, headed by SWOG group on the platform of Pakistan Gems and Jewelry, secured orders of US $ 8.5 million in Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair 2006.

The first trade fair headed by Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company was Indian International Jewellery Show (IIJS) held on August 30 to September 03, 2007. The show was a big success with participation of 36 delegates from Pakistan gems and Jewellery sector.

The second in the line was successful participation in Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair 2007. The company headed 17 delegates including two women exhibitors in Bangkok fair.
The    company is planning to attend Jewelry Collection Dubai starting from December 11, 2007. In this regard, Space for 20 booths has been booked on site by the company.

The future plan is to attend following trade fairs; (i) Tucson Show to be held in the first Quarter of 2008 and, conduct a Local Show of International Level in the second quarter of year 2008.

The company is working simultaneously to achieve its short and long term objectives. Up till now PGJDC’s Training Department has organized the following Workshops and Seminars.

The very first was ”Marketing & Branding of Jewellery” by Ms. Sibylle Schemph at Lahore ,followed by “Importance of Hallmarking & Assaying” by Mr. Peter Raw at Karachi and Lahore in April 2007. Also a seminar “Pakistan Vision & Potential for Gems and Jewellery Sector” was held in Peshawar in June 2007.

A Workshop was conducted namely, “Fakes can pass as real” by Mr. Mansoor Usman, (GIA Gemologist) at Karachi & Quetta in April and July 2007 respectively. Another workshop “Gemstone Identification” was conducted by Mr. Junaid Ikram, (GIA Gemologist) at Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Sahiwal in September 2007.

Training Programs, Gemstone Faceting & Polishing and Mining Techniques and Practices were conducted in Quetta and Mohmand Agency respectively I n July & August respectively. At Lahore 6 weeks “Jewellery Designing Course (CAD)” was also held in July- August 2007.

PGJDC has already finished a Training Program” Gemstones Mining Techniques with field trips”, in  Chitral and planning to launch “Jewellery Designing Course (CAD)” at Karachi.

Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company will facilitate the development of a 10.8 acre manufacturing cluster for Gems and Jewellery Entrepreneurs in Korangi Creek Industrial Park which is being developed by National Industrial Parks. In this regard Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company arranged a presentation by National Industrial Parks at its head office for stakeholders of Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Sector.