by Mark Silva
Here’s a gem:
Since Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf declared emergency rule and started locking up opponents, the Bush administration has said it will review its considerable foreign aid to a state that has served as an ally in the war against terrorism.
Some of that $150 million a month that the U.S. sends to Pakistan goes to educational causes, however, the administration notes – and it is in no rush to undermine aid aimed at a longer-term goal of building the institutions that will help Pakistan become a more democratic and open society over the long haul.
Like the U.S. aid that burnishes Pakistan’s jewelry craft.
A consortium of leading Pakistani universities and technical institutions announced today in Lahore that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the leading bodies of Pakistan’s gems and jewelry industry to establish the Lahore Centre of Excellence for Creativity and Design. This is a product of the Gems and Jewelry Strategic Working Group, a USAID-supported venture that devises strategies for improving the production and marketing of Pakistani jewelry.
“We realize that industry inputs and linkages are vital for academic institutions to develop their training, design, mechanics and marketing components,” Anne Armes, Pakistan mission director of the US Agency for International Development, said in a statement released by the U.S. embassy today. “We also realize that academic preparation is an integral part of creating the skilled entrepreneurs who will help strengthen the gem and jewelry value chain.”
The agreement includes Beaconhouse National University, the National College of Arts, Pakistan School of Fashion Design and the Punjab University College of Art and Design. They will work with the Pakistan Gems and Jewelry Development Company and Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to develop curricula, exchange information, upgrade course offerings, and share laboratory and technical facilities.
“The proposed center will bring both academicians and entrepreneurs together - forming the foundation for a more productive and competitive industry,” USAID’s Aarnes said.
And, yes, the White House says, the State Department still is reviewing its overall aid package for Pakistan as it presses Musharraf to take off that uniform, hold elections and end the emergency rule that he has declared. Musharraf has promised elections in January, and has committed to resign as Army chief of staff.
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Comments
If the U.S. was receiving foreign aid, it would probably go directly into the auto or oil industry. I don't see much wrong with Pakistan using their handouts to encourage their own economic growth. Problem is that gems (like gold) are a permanent economic trade item. Paper money values and devalues, but gems are real.
I wonder what the interest is in maintaining this alliance with Pakistan and Musharraf. World banks?
Posted by: Giraffe | November 23, 2007 9:56 AM
most of the USAID initiatives in Pak have been extremely positive impact, including the largest fulbright program in the world to produce well qualified prof for Pak, plus the competitiveness support fund which is helping enhance competitiveness of Pak's industry....such initiatives r having a positive impact which will have durable, long term consequences for its people
Posted by: sam | November 23, 2007 11:26 AM
This is a good example of an intelligent program that addresses the core problem of extremism: unemployment. The gem and jewelry industry has huge potential in Pakistan and one of the very few products that can be found in its increasingly extremist west and north-west provinces. Helping this industry grow in those areas would provide a crucial source of self-sustaining returns, both monetary and social, many times greater than the initial investment.
Posted by: Sikandar | November 23, 2007 1:15 PM
Spelling the Mission Director's last name correctly will give the article more credibility. Her name is Aarnes, not Armes.
Posted by: Jeff Cherer | November 26, 2007 2:48 PM