Yousaf Nasim Khokar, Chief Executive Officer, Small and Medium Development Authority (SMEDA), has said that his organization is working for the development of small and domestic industries as these units play an important role in the development of any country.

While talking to a delegation of Gold Art Promotion Council-Pakistan and Lahore Division Sarafa and Jewellers Association, led by Muhammad Ahmad, Chairman Regional Standing Committee on Gems and Jewellery of the Pakistan Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, he announced that Smeda has decided to focus afresh gems and jewellery sector. However, the real representatives of this sector will have to shoulder the efforts of Smeda.

He said that Smeda had focused its attention to the gems and jewellery sector as a result of which Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Company was formed. However, it failed to come up to the expectations of the people attached with this industry.

Speaking on the occasion Muhammad Ahmad said that the rising gold prices and the deteriorating economic situation of the country have created chaos in this sector. He urged Smeda to come forward and save this sector from collapse. Mr Ahmad suggested focusing artisans and technical people and assured all out support to Smeda. He purposed long-term programmes in this regard.

Mt Imran Chaudhry, Coordinator, Smeda, Haji Aminuddin, Rana Mazhar Hussain, Syed Masood Ali, etc, also spoke on the occasion.