The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) and the Jewelers of America (JA) have recently brought a US delegation representing the gemstone and jewellery industry to visiting Myanmar to re-establish direct lines of commerce between the two countries, according to AGTA.
Led by AGTA president Jeffrey Bilgore, CEO Douglas Hucker, JA president & CEO David J Bonaparte and Dr Jim Shigley of the Gemological Institute of America, the delegation met with representatives in Myanmar from the gemstone industry and the government.
“Our goal in coming here is to demonstrate that the gem sector in Myanmar is as worthy as any in the world, and that responsible commerce can only help all of us improve and make democracy stronger,” said Bilgore.
“We are here to share with people Myanmar what our US trade associations do to ensure product integrity, increase consumer confidence, and maintain responsible supply chains,” said Bonaparte.
The visit marks the first meeting between the US and Burmese gemstone and jewellery representatives since President Barack Obama announced that the United States will lift the remaining economic sanctions on Myanmar.
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