Pakistan has been attending Indian International Jewellery Show (IIJS) in the past, including last year as a delegate. This year again, we participated. However, for the first time a delegation of 36 members was led from the company’s platform of PGJDC  This was a Government/ private sector effort from a single  platform.  There is lot to learn from Indian experience. Indian government intervention started in  Gems and Jewellery sector some twenty five years ago.  These efforts bore fruit and today this sector is one of the major contributor to their exports.
The members of our delegation visited their manufacturing centers,  studied their craftsmanship, looked up their designs , inter acted with their traders and visited their academia. It was a learning experience for all.  The linkages  developed last year were solidified this year . Fruitful  meetings were held with high level representatives of World Gold Council, Chairman  and Board members of GJEPC. Indian  members of trade  also expressed their desire for a reciprocate visit to Pakistan , to which the Pakistan delegation agreed to facilitate.

The basic objectives were many and practically all were met. Contacts were developed and strengthened .The area for technological up gradation and skilled development in gems and jewellery sector were explored. The visit also provided our delegates opportunity to identify and develop investment opportunities on bilateral level. It helped us identify and evaluate sources in areas of equipment and machinery , precious / semi precious gems and jewellery. The  processes initiated in the previous meetings /interaction were further strengthened. It provided opportunity to delegates to identify and develop investment opportunities on bilateral level in gems and jewellery sector. The visit was a success as not only contacts were developed but the delegates absorbed a lot of information relevant to their field. It was a learning experience for all delegates from jewellery designing to jewellery manufacturing and visit to the training institutes.