Thai government agencies and presidents from gems and jewelry associations across ASEAN joined the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA) on 5 April 2017 to promote the inaugural Thailand Gems & Jewelry Fair, which will be held from 15 to 18 June, 2017 at Impact Challenger 2, Bangkok, Thailand.
The event was graced by the presence of overseas guests, including Wang Haijin, executive chairman of GD Coloured Gemstone & Jewelry Chamber of Commerce, China; Ouyang Yongjun, president of Guang Dong Institute of Diamond Jade & Jewelry, China; Peter Xie, president of Guang Dong Golden Jewelry and Jade Industry’s Association, China; Aung Kyaw Win, vice chairman, Gem & Jewellery Entrepreneurs Association (Yangon Region), Myanmar; Ermin Siow, president of the Federation of Goldsmiths and Jewellers Association, Malaysia; and Andrea Marcon, chairman of Palakiss Business and Exhibitions and CEO of Jewelry Virtual Fair SRL, Italy.
“Today we are honoured to welcome our friends from China, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Myanmar and Italy who are showing their support for the Thailand Gems & Jewelry Fair 2017,” said Suttipong Damrongsakul, president of TGJTA. “We hope to strengthen this fruitful relationship between our associations and members, and to see further cooperation among our industry and our countries in the near future. I believe that together we can make ASEAN+6 a strong base for jewellery manufacturing and trading.”
The gems and jewellery industry in Thailand employs over a million people, with exports amounting to US$14.25 billion in 2016, up a staggering 29.6 percent on the preceding year. The mid-year fair is expected to stimulate gems and jewellery trading both for domestic and export markets.
“The fair will be a great opportunity for gemstone traders in Thailand to meet overseas buyers. Our partners in Chinese associations from Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangdong, Chengdu, and Tianjin will all be seeking coloured stones from Thai producers at the Thailand Gems & Jewelry Fair,” said Suttipong. Buyers from Europe and the United States who will be looking for quality raw materials and finished products in various styles at the fair are also expected, he added.
Apart from overseas representatives, Pongpanu Svetarundra, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) and Noppadon Pakprot,deputy governor for Tourism Products and Business, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) had spoken at the press conference to promote Thailand as a jewellery shopping destination.
Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul announced at ITB Berlin 2017, the world’s largest travel trade show, in March 2017 that the ministry will highlight Thailand as a jewellery shopping destination.
“The Thai Cabinet has approved the project to promote Thailand as the world's hub for gems and jewellery, therefore the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is determined to promote Thailand as the gems and jewellery shopping destination for overseas tourists,” said Kobkarn.
“We have several jewellery streets that are already well-known, such as the Gems Street on Mahesak Road, the Gold Street on Yaowarat Road, and the Silver Street on Charoenkrung Road,” she added.
To support this initiative, the Thailand Gems & Jewelry Fair 2017 will feature the “4 Districts of Gems and Jewelry” zone to showcase the landmarks in Bangkok which are the sources of different types of jewellery from Mahesak Road, Yaowarat Road, Charoenkrung Road, Khaosan Road, Silom and Surawongse Road, and Baan Mor area.
In its continued support of both Thai and overseas gems and jewellery companies, the Thai government has granted tax incentives to facilitate trading. Exhibitors and buyers can enjoy zero import duty on all jewellery and zero VAT (Value-Added Tax) for rough stones.
The fair will also feature an Innovation Pavilion showcasing new industry trends and innovations. Other activities such as seminars and workshops by keynote speakers will provide a platform for networking across the industry. Fair organisers will provide services such as a free shuttle bus service to and from Bangkok’s major hotels, exclusive VIP areas with snacks and beverages, and free internet access. Moreover, the Cash & Carry zone will simplify business procedures for both exhibitors and buyers.
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