The 6th AEC+8 Gems and Jewellery Presidents’ Summit was held on 4 August 2017 in Nay Pyi Taw, the capital of Myanmar. Industry representatives from ASEAN and other regions gathered at the Myanmar International Convention Centre exploring the synergy among them with a special focus on the gem and jewellery industry supply chain.
Organised by the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Gems and Jewellery Entrepreneurs’, the 2017 summit was considered the largest in scale compared with previous editions held in Thailand (2012-14), Malaysia (2015) and Vietnam (2016). Industry organisation chiefs from the ASEAN member states including Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam together with eight countries and regions namely Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Shanghai, Sri Lanka, the United States and Turkey were presented. Representing Hong Kong was Ken Lo, chairman of the Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association (HKJJA).
Delegates took turns to give an update on the recent development of the gem and jewellery sector in their respective regions and the pressing issues they were facing. In the panel discussion sections, the involvement of and supports from the government was among the major concerns of the speakers. An MOU signing ceremony was also held to foster closer relationship and cooperation to enhance trade and production capacity among members.
Delegates were asked to vote for the host of the next summit in 2018. Shanghai was selected by a unanimous vote.
In recognition of the significance of Thailand in the formation of the Gems and Jewellery President’s Summit, Suttipong Damrongsakul, president of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA), was elected president of the summit. On his request, he will serve for a two-year term.
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