Islamabad: The National Productivity Organization (NPO) has launched a technical assistance program for the gemstone industry in collaboration with the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) in Tokyo, Japan.
Advice and workshops on gemstone identification, certification, cutting and polishing techniques with experts from the Gem and Jewelery Institute of Thailand.
The sessions held in Peshawar, Gilgit, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore aimed to build the capacity of stakeholders and promote economic growth through knowledge sharing and skill development.
The program included industry experts, associations and international experts to promote cooperation and economic prosperity in the gems and jewelery industry.
Experts shared their knowledge and practical skills and practices to increase the capacity of stakeholders, paving the way for greater collaboration and a shift towards sustainable economic prosperity.
The aim is to promote international standards in gemstone products; provide comprehensive knowledge of cutting, polishing, designing and heating techniques; and improve understanding of best practices and technological advancements in gemstone value chains. Engage relevant associations such as PGJTEA, APCEA and PGMA, industry experts, business professionals involved in the sector, with international experts to learn the latest techniques and processes, leading to an overall increase in productivity in the industry.
The Asian Productivity Organization, Tokyo, Japan team was led by the Program Director, accompanied by senior international experts from the Gems and Jewelry Institute, Thailand.
The delegation held consultation sessions in Peshawar, Gilgit, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Lahore. In Peshawar, the delegation visited Gems and Jewelery Training Center (G&JTC), KP TEVTA, Gems and Jewelery Center of Excellence, UET Peshawar, visited a potential gemstone market (Namak Mandi) and met local industry representatives from APCEA. The delegation also visited and held a session at a lapidary training center run by Great Britain with the help of PGMA. and later visited the Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design in Lahore. Sessions on structural reforms and sharing of best practices in the gems and jewelery sector were also held at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI). PGJTEA representatives and other key stakeholders attended the session which highlighted key sector issues, challenges and opportunities. Later. the delegation will present a report with an overview and recommendations for the upliftment of the gem industry in Pakistan.
Nature has given Pakistan the greatest treasures of gems. Some of them make Pakistan prominent in the mineral world. The world’s most sought-after colored gemstones such as emerald, ruby, sapphire, topaz, aquamarine and tourmaline are found in Pakistan.
The northern and northwestern part of Pakistan is covered by three world famous mountain ranges called Hindukush, Himalaya and Karakorum. These mountains have been found to be extremely rich in mineral deposits. The deep green Emerald from the Sawat Valley and the rare pink Topaz from Katlang are some of the rarest gemstones in the world market.
Precious stones present in Pakistan can be found in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Swat, Dir, Mansehra, Kohistan, Peshawar etc. In Balochistan province they are abundant in Kharan, Chaman etc.
