Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company (PGJDC) - a subsidiary of Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) has been endeavouring towards the development of the gems and jewellery industry in the country from Mine to Market since its inception in 2007. The Company seeks to enhance the Gems & Jewellery Industry's international competitiveness via facilitation, technology up-gradation, skill development and marketing/branding.
In order to realise its vision, the Company has established state-of-the - art Gems & Jewellery Training and Manufacturing Centers (GJTMCs) and Gem Testing Laboratories at Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar and Gilgit. As part of skill development, the Company has established fully functional GJTMCs with latest machinery & equipment, experienced faculty and professional staff for imparting training and providing manufacturing facility to the Gems & Jewellery sector.
The Company has also set-up two Gem Exchanges at Peshawar and Quetta at par with international bourses of this industry world-wide. Establishment of two Assaying & Hallmarking Centres at Karachi and Lahore are in progress.
In a span of just more than five years PGJDC has conducted 436 training programs and trained 5,553 students in the fields of Jewellery Designing & Manufacturing, Gem Identification, Gem Carving and Gem Faceting across Pakistan.
Empowerment of women working in this sector has been one of the primary objectives of the Company for which several short term and long term programs/trainings and marketing schemes have been launched.
PGJDC has achieved another great milestone recently by organising the first of its kind "Pakistan International Gems & Jewellery Exhibition" at Karachi from 7th to 10th June 2012. The Exhibition was inaugurated by the then Honourable Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani on 7th June 2012 ensuring full support by the Government to take the Gems & Jewellery industry of Pakistan to new heights.
Governor Sindh - Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Sindh - Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Federal Minister for Production - Chaudhry Anwar Ali Cheema and Federal Secretary for Production - Gul Muhammad Rind were also present at the Inaugural Ceremony.
The Exhibition proved to be a lucrative and much needed platform to trigger exports and develop long and sustainable business to business linkages for the Gems & Jewellery industry of Pakistan. International delegates from different countries including India, Sri Lanka, UAE, France, UK and Hong Kong visited the Exhibition and engaged with and developed long term B to B links with the exhibitors who participated in the Exhibition from the Private Sector. PGJDC undertook several institutional arrangements with the international delegations especially the Indian Delegation on various areas of mutual interest and for the benefit of the Gems & Jewellery industry of Pakistan.
Since its inception, the Company has facilitated the Private Sector with international marketing at Pakistan pavilions in 25 international Gems & Jewellery shows including Thailand, Hong Kong, UAE, Germany and USA under the brand name "Gems & Jewellery Pakistan". Private Sector's participation in international exhibition has provided them with required exposure to international trends and demands resulting in growth of exports.
The Company has organised 26 Gem Exhibitions/Gem Bazaars in major cities of Pakistan providing a unique platform to the private sector to develop their business ultimately resulting into increase in exports.
The Company is also going to introduce and implement Assaying and Hallmarking across the country in the near future to ensure high quality standards and transparency in jewellery business.
With marketing and branding efforts of the Company, the exports of gems and jewellery has increased from USD 47.50 Million in 2006-07 to USD 589.00 Million in 2011-12 with around 70% compounded growth (Ref: ITC figures). This reflects the potential of the Gems & Jewellery industry to become one of the major contributors to the country's exports.
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