Pakistan has expressed willingness to work in close collaboration with Sri Lanka for the promotion of the gem industry and to enhance technical cooperation in the field of gems and jewellery.

Pakistani Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Amanullah Khan Jadoon expressed this view when the 3-member Sri Lankan Gemstone Experts delegation headed by Senior Gemologist of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority of Sri Lanka Upali Nandalal called on him in Islamabad recently, official sources said.

Mr. Jadoon discussed with the Sri Lankan gem expert delegation on the scope of technical cooperation in the gemstone field. Pakistan is keen to learn a lot and boost further relations in gemstone field with Sri Lanka, he told the visiting delegation. Members of the delegation comprised Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association Vice Chairman Ronald R Perera and Secretary Nowroz Azami.

The delegation is currently visiting Pakistan as a follow up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in February 2005 for enhancing technical cooperation in the field of gems and jewellery.

Welcoming the Sri Lankan delegation, the minister said that Pakistan had huge resources of gemstones in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and northern areas, having colours and properties on par with international standards. He said these resources could not be tapped to optimal level due to lack of appropriate gemstone cutting and polishing facilities in the country.