Islamabad, Minister for Industries and Production Division Rana Tanveer Hussain announced a series of measures aimed at promoting growth in the Gems and Jewellery sector through enhanced value addition and compliance with international standards. He made these remarks during the closing ceremony of a four-day international training course on the Value Addition of Gemstone Products for Compliance with International Standards.

According to Press Information Department, the event was jointly organized by the National Productivity Organization (NPO) and Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Tokyo, Japan. The APO, established in 1961, is a union of 21 Asian countries with its headquarters in Tokyo, dedicated to promoting socio-economic development among its member countries.

Participants at the event included delegates from APO member states such as 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.

During his address, the Federal Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting the Gems and Jewellery sector. He noted that international partnerships and platforms, like those created through the APO, are essential for driving development and achieving the sector’s export target of $2 billion. The Minister emphasized that the government aims to increase value addition, productivity, and exports by closely monitoring key areas, formulating policies, and planning interventions to promote growth in the sector.

Rana Tanveer Hussain pointed out that future collaborations with APO member countries could strengthen the sector, especially by establishing gemstone testing, grading, certification, and standardization facilities through international partnerships with institutions like the Gems and Jewelry Institute of Technology, Bangkok (GIT).

The Minister also expressed optimism about the potential for APO member countries to collaborate in boosting productivity and innovation in the Gems and Jewellery sector. He praised the efforts of the organizers for hosting a successful event that attracted 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 the Gems and Jewellery sector.