Lahore, 23rd November 2008: Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company has organized Awards Distribution Ceremony in Lahore on 23rd November 2008. The certificates and prizes were distributed to students who participated in 5 different courses which included the following courses: Diamond Grading Course, Computer Aided Jewellery Designing and Manufacturing, Manual Jewellery Designing, Jewellery Pattern Making in Wax, and Advance Pattern Making Techniques in Jewellery. Around 125 participants received certificates and awards in these courses.

Mr. Shahab Anwar Khawaja, Federal Secretary for Industries and Production was the Chief Guest in the Program. While expressing his views during his speech, the Federal Secretary reiterated the government's resolve to provide maximum support to Gems and Jewellery sector of Pakistan so that this sector could earn foreign exchange for Pakistan.

He said that Pakistan can earn millions of dollars by exporting its gems and jewellery after value addition and Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company is working in the same direction to provide enabling environment to this sector so that it could compete in international markets.

Federal secretary said that Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company has been established as a Public/Private partnership to develop the value chain of Gems and Jewellery Industry from mine to market. He said that PGJDC aims to enhance the exports through facilitation, technology up-gradation, skill development & Marketing/Branding.

Speaking on the occasion CEO PGJDC, Mr. 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 different training programs recently. He informed that out of 70 training courses conducted across the country, "we have so far trained approximately 1500 men and women".

Talking about different initiatives of PGJDC Fawad informed that our initiatives include, Gems & Jewellery Training and Manufacturing Centers (GJTMCs), Gems Identification Laboratories, Gems Exchanges, Assaying and Hallmarking Centers, Marketing/Branding through Participation in International Shows and Local Gems & Jewellery Exhibitions/Events. Organizing Gem Bazaars, Market Studies and Surveys, Advertising and Promotion, Geological Surveys for ascertainment of Gemstone Reserves and introduction of Mining Techniques/Technology.

Mr. Fawad informed that PGJDC is working on several fronts 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 entrepreneur and workers of gems and jewellery sector. This would surely result in increase of exports from Pakistan.

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

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.

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 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.