by Fatima Javed

 

Pakistan Gems and Jewelry Development Company (PGJDC) and the CPEC authority agreed to collaborate for the development and uplift of the Gems and Jewelry sector by pooling up their resources ultimately benefitting the Country.

 

A meeting was held between the Chairman PGJDC, Mr. Shahid Iqbal Qureshi and the Chairman CPEC Authority Lt. Gen (r) Asim Saleem Bajwa. Both sides discussed the objectives and scope of operations of the Company.

 

 

Chairman CPEC Authority opined that as the incumbent government has a strong focus on the development of the Gems and Jewelry sector, strengthening of operations of PGJDC is very important.

 

Chairman PGJDC emphasized to chalk out possibilities of mutual collaboration between the two organizations for the uplift of this sector. He shed light upon the Gemstone potential of the Country and submitted that Pakistan ranks 5th in the world with regards to gemstone reserves.

 

Qureshi Chairman PGJDC, also mentioned that high quality of Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Aquamarine, Peridot, Topaz, Tourmaline, etc. are abundantly found in the mountainous regions of the Country.

 

Baluchistan is also rich in semi-precious and precious gemstones which are unique to this area. These gemstone treasures are highly sought after around the globe and there is a dire need to exploit this potential for export growth.

 

Qureshi suggested various avenues in which CPEC Authority and PGJDC could join hands and work together to make full use of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and lure foreign direct investment into this sector.

 

Gems and Jewelry Special Industrial Parks and Gemstone City can be set up along the CPEC route where Gemstone and Jewellery clusters could be developed. Gemstone Lapidary units, jewelry designing and manufacturing units, Gold refining units and quality assurance labs will be set up in these SIPs.

 

These SIPs can also provide one window facilitation to the sector stakeholders. Separate Lapidary Units offering facilities of Gemstone processing can also be set up along CPEC throughout the Country which will promote export of value-added products.