The NPO Pakistan organized a face-to-face workshop on Value Addition of Gemstone Products for Compliance with International Standards in Islamabad, Pakistan, 22–25 April. The objective was to give participants a better understanding of international standards for gemstone products; cutting, polishing, designing, and heating techniques; and best practices and technological advances in gemstone value chains.

Twenty-eight participants from eight APO members attended the workshop, guided by three resource persons, i.e., two from Thailand and one from Pakistan. A site visit to TEVTA KPK (vocational and education training center in Peshawar) allowed the resource persons to demonstrate gemstone processing to participants. At the end of the workshop, the participants developed action plans to enhance their national gemstone industries.