President urges global boost in gems, jewellery sector

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has called for better marketing and projection of Pakistan’s gemstone industry in the global market and emphasized exporting value-added products to help earn foreign exchange for Pakistan.

He also urged the need for better marketing and projection of gemstone products from Pakistan to tap into the global gem and jewellery market.

The President expressed these views during a meeting for the development of the Gems and Jewellery sector in Pakistan at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company (PGJDC), Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry, and government officials attended the meeting.

CEO of PGJDC Alamgir Chaudhry apprised the meeting about the strategic plan for developing the Gems and Jewellery sector, besides highlighting challenges and opportunities in this sector.

President said that Pakistan’s Gems and Jewellery sector had huge potential which can be exploited for national development.

He underlined the need to encourage foreign companies to invest in this sector to help improve the economy and open up opportunities for the local population through employment generation.

The President urged the need to focus on the training and skill enhancement of the local workforce, besides promoting diversification and industrialization of the Gems and Jewellery sector to increase its contribution to the country’s economy.