June 2017
The 59th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair (BGJF) closed the curtain on 26 February 2017 at Impact Exhibition Centre, Bangkok. The five-day show set a record in the number of international visitors that increased by 18.8 percent compared to the previous edition, said the organiser Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand.
Staged under ‘The World’s Gems and Jewellery Destination’ concept, the show aimed to reaffirm its leading position as an important platform of gems and jewellery sourcing in Asia-Pacific by bringing together 730 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions to showcase the latest innovations and products in 2,011 booths.
DITP’s director general, Malee Choklumlerd revealed that the fair featured foreign exhibitors from Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, Poland, Japan, and CLMV cluster countries comprising Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. A total of 17,000 visitors attended the fair; most of them were from India, mainland China, Myanmar, Vietnam and the United States.
At the opening ceremony held on 22 February, Thai Minister of Commerce Apiradi Tantraporn said: “Thai gems and jewellery industry is the lifeline of approximately 15,800 entrepreneurs and over 900,000 workers. To date, our country stands proud as the world’s 10th largest gems and jewellery exporter. In 2016, the industry fetched nearly US$7 billion in export value. For 2017, it is expected to bring US$7.32 billion, a five percent-increase from the previous year.”
Thai government has lifted the import duty of all gems and jewellery, effective as of 28 January 2017, and adopted several incentive measures to create a favourable trade environment and strengthen the competitiveness of Thai entrepreneurs. “The tax exemption scheme for the imports of gems and jewellery products is indeed a piece of good news for the industry…It is expected to help alleviate the intensity of trade obstacles and help support Thailand in its effort to firmly establish as the world’s jewellery hub,” said Tantraporn.
Ranked as one of Thailand’s top five jewellery manufacturers, Sirus Tanya has exhibited at BGJF since 2011, the same year when Sirus Tanyawattanakul established the company. The young designer told Hong Kong Jewellery that even though the fair was pretty quiet, they had regular customers who always come to the show to place orders. According to him, the company enjoyed annual growth of 60 percent in 2016 and have built partnerships with some famous international jewellery brands. With around 50 artisans at their workshop and one new collection launched every week, the company plans to build a new factory and open another store in Bangkok in future.
Business has been impacted on by the global economic downturn. DITP has been trying to understand the market and stimulate trade, but it needs longer time for the market getting better, said Napa Suksawat, managing director of Bangkok-based Duang Kaew which is specialised in hand-made fine jewellery set with rubies with main markets in Asia and Middle East.
In a group press interview during the fair, Chantira Jimreivat Vivatrat, inspector general of Ministry of Commerce of Thailand said that customers prefer affordable luxury when the economy is down, which is why DITP has adjusted the strategy to target niche markets.
She also revealed that they have talked to many industry organisations and exhibitors in different countries and regions and received their feedbacks on organising international pavilions at BGJF in future. The show organiser also plans to categorise exhibits so as to better meet buyers’ needs in the upcoming shows. “This is not a show just for Thailand, but also for ASEAN and other countries. We hope to improve the show and bring buyers back. Someone said that BGJF is just a factory show, nothing new. It is time for us to offer new experience,” she said.
The 60th BGJF will take place during 6-10 September 2017 at the same venue.
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