As one of the leading associations in Hong Kong representing nearly 400 local jewellery manufacturers, Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association (HKJJA) has endeavoured to serve its members and promote Hong Kong jewellery designs to the globe by organising Hong Kong Pavilion at overseas trade fairs and the ‘T-GOLD + METS’ Pavilion at HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, which is dubbed ‘the best jewellery and watch technology pavilion in Asia’. As the council of management of HKJJA enters into its 33rd term, Hong Kong Jewellery is pleased to have Ken Lo, the newly-elected chairman and director of Eternity Manufacturing Ltd sharing his mission and vision, HKJJA’s affairs and views on future development of the market.
HKJM: Hong Kong Jewellery
KL: Ken Lo
HKJM: It is a challenge to be a chairman especially under the current economic slowdown and the resulting sluggish market. What are your mission and vision?
KL: Spanning over 50 years, HKJJA has effectively unified Hong Kong’s jewellery industry to face the global competition under an industry-recognised brand named ‘Made by Hong Kong’. During the market downturn, we need to be extra cautious in allocating resources and encourage our members to be innovative in running their business to ride over the challenge. Despite the difficulties the industry is facing, this could be a good opportunity for us to strive for better deals from different markets worldwide and I will work closely with the committee and fellow directors of the association to provide better services for the benefits of our members.
HKJM: The global economic situation has made a huge impact on Hong Kong’s jewellery exports. How can HKJJA lead its members and the industry to overcome difficulties?
KL: We should make use of this situation to consolidate and trim down the operation, and focus on streamlining internal affairs and allocate our resources discreetly. HKJJA will organise more education and training programmes on technology applications in the jewellery industry for the members to be better prepared when the business cycle turns around in the coming years.
HKJM: Over the years HKJJA has organised Hong Kong Pavilion in New York, Las Vegas, Vicenza, Dubai, Bangkok, etc. What is your opinion on the development and outlook of these shows with the pavilion?
KL: HKJJA’s Hong Kong Pavilion has seen its heyday over the past few years and now is shrinking under the impact of global economic slowdown. As some of the trade shows have become redundant, the association needs to re-evaluate the viability of participating in these shows as the Hong Kong delegation.
HKJM: As HKJJA’s T-GOLD + METS Exhibition chairman for years, you have witnessed the evolution of ‘T-GOLD + METS’ Pavilion. How do you see its development and the technological applications in the jewellery industry in the future?
KL: Over the years, Hong Kong has lost almost entirely its jewellery manufacturing industry as the production processes have been mainly moved to mainland China. However, some of the local jewellery manufacturers have started relocating their high value-added sector of production lines and operations back to Hong Kong in recent years leveraging the city’s location advantages and favourable government policies including the ‘re-industrialisation’ initiative. In this process, ‘T-GOLD + METS’ has played an important role in raising awareness of the trade to consider rebuilding the high value-added manufacturing processes in Hong Kong and explore new business opportunities here.
The industry was short of a specialised trading platform in terms of production machinery, technology and equipment for so long until the launch of ‘T-GOLD + METS’ Pavilion. The pavilion will thrive in the short- to medium-term future, especially positioning in Hong Kong.
In almost all major cities worldwide, the cost of land and labour is the main obstacle in establishing production facilities. In order to reduce costs and change the labour-intensive manufacturing mode, the application of technology is one of the answers. There are two distinctive trends in the jewellery industry. One is handmade jewellery; the other is machine-made jewellery. While the latter relies on advanced technology, the former is also leaning towards scaling down manual operations which will be substituted by technical applications.
HKJM: What is your market outlook for 2017?
KL: The year of 2017 will be full of uncertainties. At present, unfortunately, the market situation is at the mercy of the world economy and politics. Any predictions will be unreliable and inappropriate like forecasting weather with our raised fingers. I will keep a cautiously optimistic attitude with regard to the market development.
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