Islamabad, (Parliament Times) : Minister for Industries & Production Division Rana Tanveer Hussain has said all possible steps are being taken to enable Gems & Jewellery sector growth by enhancing value addition in the sector to boost productivity and exports.
He expressed these views while addressing a closing ceremony of a four-day international training course on the Value Addition of Gemstone Products for Compliance with International Standards here on Thursday.
The event was jointly organized by the National Productivity Organization (NPO) and the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) in Tokyo, Japan.
The APO, established on May 11, 1961, is a union of 21 Asian countries with headquarters in Tokyo working for the promotion of socio-economic development in the region and among member countries.
The delegates from APO member States who attended the training included Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, The Republic of Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, The Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.
The Federal Minister addressing the ceremony said that the government is committed to supporting Gems & Jewellery and believed that initiatives and platforms that connect such international practices can drive further development of the sector.
He expressed that Gems & Jewellery is indispensable for the country’s economic growth. He further added that the future potential collaborations among APO member countries to strengthen this sector particularly by establishing Gems testing, grading, certification, and standardization facilities through international collaborations in our country, with the active support/partnership of Gems and Jewelry Institute of Technology, Bangkok (GIT) & APO and resultantly achieving our export target of US $ 2 Billion.
The Federal Minister said the government is closely monitoring key areas, devising policies, and planning interventions to ensure a boost in the Gems & Jewelry sector.
The Minister also said that he looks forward to enhancing the productivity of the sector based on mutual learning and showing the rest of the world how APO member countries can work together for innovation and development of the Gems & Jewellery sector.
He lauded the efforts of the organizers for hosting a successful event that got the attention of APO member countries.
Chief Executive Officer NPO, Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry also addressed the event, which was attended by delegates from APO member countries, local entrepreneurs, and experts from Gems & Jewellery sector.
