A two-week long workshop on 'Developing Silverware' as a new product line for export market held under the aegis of a Smeda-run project Ahan (Aik Hunar, Aik Nagar) concluded here at Beacon house National University (BNU) with the note of high appreciation from the industry and designer circles.
Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority Chief Executive Officer, Shahab Khawaja attended the concluding session along with Ahan Project Director Sohail Amir.
The workshop included field visits to markets, museums, cultural sites and screening of various documentaries on the history of gold and jewellery. Smeda had selected about 10 craftsmen from Bahawalpur to train them according to international standards.
Professional designers from the Department of jewellery design and local market were hired as trainers. The participants were divided into three groups and each group had been tasked with creating four new products, either of silver jewellery or silverware, to be sold in the international market.
The 12 items would be displayed at the renowned international Gems and Jewellery Fair to be held at Bangkok in mid of September this year. Talking to participants on the occasion, BNU Department of Jewellery Design assistant professor said that Smeda had provided raw materials for the products but the designs would be named after designers.
Muhammad Aslam, a craftsman from Bahawalpur, who runs a jewellery business, expressed his desire to introduce Kundan (silver jewellery and silverware) the local culture of Bahawalpur at the international level. He appreciated Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry for introducing him to Smeda.