Karachi, May 17: Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company has awarded 131 Jewellery Designing Training Certificates to Jewellery Designing students who participated in 5 different Jewellery and Diamond training courses organized by Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company.

In this regard an Award distribution ceremony was held at a local hotel today where apart from awarding 131 certificates to the students, PGJDC also awarded 7 top achievers with the special prizes. Other than the training programs certificates, PGJDC also awarded shields to the exhibitors of Jewellery Collections, Dubai held in December 2007. Amongst other 15 women also got their certificates on successful completion of their courses.

Earlier famous artist and Chief Guest of the ceremony Ms. Durriya Kazi, Head Department of Visual Studies University of Karachi inaugurated the exhibition of the Jewellery Designs made by students who participated in different training courses. Around 41 jewellery designs were on display comprising 5 different types of signs including earings, necklaces, rings, pendants and cufflings.

Appreciating the designs made by the students she said that I am really proud to see such nicely designed jewellery sketches made by the beginners. She hoped that these students would serve as valuable asset for gems and jewellery industry and help Pakistan compete with international designs.

Speaking on the occasion CEO Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company Fawad H. Khan said that the prime objective of this Award Distribution ceremony was to recognize the commitment and achievements of the participants who attended and successfully completed the training programs recently. He informed that participants who have been awarded certificates participated in Diamond Grading Course, Manual Jewellery Designing Course, Computer Aided Jewellery Designing Course and Advanced Pattern Making Techniques for Jewellery Manufacturing.

Fawad informed the audience that Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company is working several front simultaneously that includes organizing training workshops and courses for the gems and jewellery professionals and students as well as creating facilities for the industry to help it promoting the export of gems and jewellery from 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.

He said that PGJDC is also establishing Gems Exchanges in Peshawar and Quetta that would serve as a one window facility that would provide facilities like gems testing lab, bank, on call custom and courier service making every transaction easy and secure for the traders.

Mr. Mutiullah Sheikh, Chairman PGJDC said that the Pakistan is blessed with 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 Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company is also facilitating 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.

This modern industrial park would have all basic facilities, like; security, reliable water and power supply, natural environment, supporting services, telecommunication facilities, and accessibility etc. gems and jewellery cluster would have effluent treatment plant, 48 megawatt power plant to ensure the uninterrupted power supply and all supporting services and amenities for the members.

The proposed gems and jewellery units would consist of Gems processing units, jewellery manufacturing, assaying and hallmarking, gem laboratories, training centers, gems labs and gems exchanges etc. PGJDC has formed a committee to review the needs of gems and jewellery sector and submit their suggestions and proposal to company.