The 63rd Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair (BGJF), held 20-24 February 2019, recorded an increase of over five percent in the number of foreign visitors, and over 85 percent in the value of immediate sales over the previous February show, reported Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), fair organiser.
Presided over the opening ceremony of the show was HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, with Chutima Boonyaprapatsorn, deputy commerce minister, Boonyarit Kalayanamit, permanent secretary of commerce and Banjongjitt Angsusingh, director-general of DITP in attendance.
Held under the theme of “Thailand’s Magic Hands: the Spirit of Jewelry Making”, the show welcomed over 14,000 visitors from 118 countries and regions, with the number of foreign visitors up 5.4 percent from the same period of last year.
“Trade generated at the event was nearly 2.1 billion baht (US$66 million), with immediate sales worth 700 million baht (US$22 million), up 85.2 percent compared to the Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair held in February 2018, while public days saw sales of approximately 360 million baht (US$11.4 million). Products with the highest value of trade at the fair were gemstones, fine jewellery, silver jewellery, machinery, and gold jewellery, respectively,” said DITP.
Innovative product sections and creative exhibits were new features of the Bangkok fair of late. ‘The New Faces’ showcased new jewellery from 123 SMEs manufacturers and designers from 21 provinces nationwide such as Chantaburi, Tak, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Pichit, Surin, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Nakon Sri Thammarat, and Phang Nga. ‘The Jewellers’ and ‘Innovative and Design Zone’ introduced quality products that received positive feedback from visitors, as well as generated over 120 million baht in sales during the event.
According to Chutima Boonyaprapatsorn, exports of gems and jewellery from Thailand in 2018 expanded in almost all markets. “Last year, export of gems and jewellery products excluding unwrought gold was worth US$7,606.45 million, up 6.96 percent, with high-growth products including gold jewellery, silver jewellery, imitation jewellery, and diamonds.
“Key export markets were Hong Kong (-1.17 percent), the United States (+15.72 percent), Germany (+16.24 percent), India (+2.23 percent), Belgium (+8.19 percent), while secondary markets with promising growth included Qatar (+103.49 percent), Singapore (+38.92 percent), South Korea (+36.98 percent), Lichtenstein (+25.04 percent), and Israel (+20.61 percent).”
In a bid to strengthen the competitiveness of the Thai gem and jewellery industry, the Ministry of Commerce has carried out communications campaigns to promote the image of the industry as well as the awareness of consumers with projects including the ‘Buy with Confidence’ campaign by the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) (GIT), together with the promotion of the industry’s image overseas through the “Thailand’s Magic Hands: the Spirit of Jewelry Making” initiative by DITP.
Press mission
Selected journalists from around the globe were invited to join a press mission to explore the dynamics behind the sustained growth of the Thai gem and jewellery industry, including visits to a state-owned goldsmithing institute and an acclaimed local designer.
Established by the Ministry of Education in 1995, the Golden Jubilee Royal Goldsmith College aims to prepare young Thai craftsmen to help preserve and transmit ancient Thai art of gold jewellery making. The institute offers certificate, diploma and degree programmes to students. In 2011, there were 500 students studying at the college and working in cooperation with four local jewellery heavyweights namely Beauty Gems, Pakdee, Pranda and C-Fac.
Multi-award winning designer Sarran Youkongdee, founder of Sarran, is famed for his contemporary designs embracing Asian cultures, Thai rich heritage and traditions. The flower parts of his jewellery are made from compressed leftover bits of fabric which is lightweight, waterproof and able to absorb fragrance.
The 64th BGJF is scheduled for 10-14 September 2019 at Challenger Halls 1-3, Impact Muang Thong Thani. (Photo courtesy: DITP)
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