Karachi, April 24, 2008: Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company (PGJDC) a wholly owned subsidiary of Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) under the Ministry of Industries & Production is planning to organize single country Gems and Jewellery Exhibition in Houston, USA in collaboration with Pakistan Chamber of Commerce USA (PCC-USA). In this regard an MoU between PGJDC and PCC-USA has been finalized prior to the Media briefing held at PGJDC Head Office in Regent Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, Karachi on Thursday April 24, 2008.

The prime motive of the MoU reflects the commitment towards the collaborative efforts of PGJDC and PCC-USA to enable gems & jewellery sector of Pakistan in successfully making in-roads in the US market.

The press conference was addressed by Mr. Mutiullah Sheikh, Chairman PGJDC, Mr. Fawad H. Khan, CEO PGJDC, Mr. Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, President PCC-USA and Mr. Abdul Qayyum Khan Kundi, Vice President PCC-USA.

Mr. Fawad H. Khan, CEO PGJDC said that this MoU will lead to organizing several single country gems and jewellery exhibitions in USA and to start with we are organizing our first gems and jewellery exhibition in Houston, which is one of the biggest markets of gems and jewellery from Pakistan.

He informed that so far more than 55 Pakistani gems and jewellery traders from all over Pakistan have shown their firm interest for participating in this exhibition. They will represent the sector from a wide variety of gems and jewellery including rough and cut gem stones and mineral specimen, plain and stone studded gold and silver jewellery.

Mr. Fawad H. Khan CEO PGJDC said that this exhibition would greatly help in tapping the new industrial links for gems and Jewellery sector and would also pave the way for the industry to develop further business links to enhance the level of their designs and technology. He said that this platform would also help in attracting and mobilizing the major buyers of gems and jewellery in USA.

He said that Pakistan’s exports can be increased by branding the Pakistani gems and jewellery in international markets in a proper manner. He said that in order to promote the different products of this sector PGJDC is participating in different international Jewellery Exhibitions where Pakistani companies are not only getting export orders but also learning about the latest trends in jewellery designs as well as the requirements of international markets.

He said that such a Gems and Jewellery exhibition would be first of its kind in USA by Pakistan and the objective is to promote the Pakistani Gems and jewellery products as well as to provide Pakistani exhibitors with learning opportunities and exposure to new markets and trends.

Mr. Mutiullah Sheikh, Chairman PGJDC said that the Pakistan is blessed with one of the richest of resources in the form of precious and semi precious gems and stones combined with unique skills and art of making traditional and contemporary jewellery. Having said that, the challenge is to progress in terms of innovative products coupled with technology and value addition in order to compete internationally. PGJDC is committed to facilitate the industry in reaching new heights by capitalizing on new trends and demands from international markets. The focus should remain on the niche markets for exports in order to get more mileage and stay competitive in the international markets.

Talking about PGJDC, he said that the formation of PGJDC is a good omen for Pakistani gems and jewellery sector. It is committed to create sound base for the sector. PGJDC is conducting different training courses to create awareness about latest gems and jewellery trends and technology in Pakistan.

He said that we have been inviting foreign experts from around the world to conduct trainings and also we are creating training centers for the workers of gems and jewellery sector. This would surely result in increase of exports from Pakistan.

He informed that PGJDC is establishing Gems & Jewellery Common Facility Training & Manufacturing Centers (CFTMCs) enabling the industry to get their staff trained on latest machines as well as use these facilities for the production of their orders. These CFTMCs have been planned in Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar and Gilgit initially.

PGJDC is working to raise value chain productivity, improvement of industry marketing and branding, strengthening of policies for increased competitiveness, investment in workforce development and capacity enhancement, innovation and creativity, and for strengthening industry organization and providing institutional support.