News Desk |
The three-day 2nd RCCI International Gems, Jewelry and Watches Expo kicked off in Islamabad on Saturday. Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) in collaboration with the Trade Development Authority Pakistan (TDAP) has organized the three-day expo.
The exhibition would provide an opportunity to the businessmen to showcase the best of Pakistani gemstones, diamonds, jewelry, watches and mineral specimens from across the country.
The main purpose of the expo is to attract foreign investment in non-conventional sectors like gems and jewelry and to promote small and medium enterprise (SME). Precious stones, gems, ornaments, silver, gold and diamond jewelry were put on display at more than 50 stalls established at the expo.
The RCCI president said that the development of the sector will have a significant impact on Pakistan’s economy in terms of employment, entrepreneurship, and increasing the gems’ export outside Pakistan along with designer jewelry.
A technical convention with respect to cutting, polishing and certification of gems will also be held on the sidelines of the expo.
Government to Support Women in Jewelry Sector: Firdous Ashiq Awan
While addressing at this occasion Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan lauded RCCI’s efforts in promoting trade activities in the region and assured full support of government for promoting gems and Jewelry sector.
Government is focusing on the empowerment of women entrepreneurs as the country was facing a human resource development challenge with the competitors in the region, she said, adding that women while sitting at home can contribute in jewelry sector and the government would fully support and provide assistant in this regard.
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From exploration to cutting and polishing and transfer of technology and marketing, the government is ready to support the chamber’s initiative, the special assistant said. In addition, she lauded the trade development authority’s efforts for improving linkages and highlighting the neglected sectors.
Gems & Jewelry Sector will have Significant Impact on Pakistan’s Economy: RCCI President
Earlier, in his welcome address, President RCCI Malik Shahid Saleem said that companies from Italy and Afghanistan were also participating in the expo. The RCCI president said that the development of the sector will have a significant impact on Pakistan’s economy in terms of employment, entrepreneurship, and increasing the gems’ export outside Pakistan along with designer jewelry.
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In his address, the group leader Sohail Altaf said that the industry has huge potential for value addition and profitability but due to lack of appreciation, the industry is far below the regional competitors, who are engaged in the mining, cutting, polishing and trading of gemstones.