CGJTA makes boldest move to boost gems of Sri Lanka

 From left: CGJTA Vice Chairman Safraz Jabir, MP Eran Wickramaratne, CGJTA Vice Chairman Rizwan Nayeem, EDB Chairman Dr. Kingsley Bernard, NGJA Chairman Viraj De Silva, Gem Sri Lanka Chairman Hilmy Cassim, Primary Industries State Minister Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, Guild Institute of Gemology President and Guild Gem Laboratories Senior Vice President Andy Lucas, National Chamber of Exporters Director General Shiham Marikar, Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees of the Parliament Ajith Rajapakse, and CGJTA Secretary Ashker Ali Mubarak – Pic by Ruwan Walpola

• Announces inaugural world-class style 3-day ‘Gem Sri Lanka’ trade exhibition from 11 to 13 January next year at Cinnamon Bentota adjacent to Beruwala, the world’s largest open air gem market

The Chinafort Gem and Jewellery Traders Association (CGJTA) yesterday unveiled ‘Gem Sri Lanka’ (GSL), a world-class inaugural trade exhibition in January next year to highlight the country’s rich and unique precious collection.

The three-day event at Cinnamon Bentota from 11 to 13 January is marketed as “a celebration of gemstone” and aims to shed light on Sri Lanka’s immense potential for growth in the gemstone trade, as the country’s availability of timeless and rare natural stones is yet to be fully realised. 

The venue is adjacent to Beruwala, described as the world’s largest open air gem market.

The launch was attended by a galaxy of officials including the State Minister for Primary Industries Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, heads of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority of Sri Lanka (NGJA), and the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka (EDB). SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne was also present.

Gem Sri Lanka Chairman Hilmy Cassim said: “We are excited to launch Gem Sri Lanka, the platform to introduce and expose our young talent to the international market, whereby we connect the source to the world.”

The GSL is fully endorsed by NGJA and the EDB. The platinum sponsor is Guild Labs, a leading global gemological laboratory.

CGJTA expressed confidence that Gem Sri Lanka will serve as the centre stage for Sri Lanka to garner the much needed high-value attention from the world over in this sector.

“Gem Sri Lanka serves to show the world a true, rare and unique nature of Sri Lanka’s gemstones, as our gems don’t just shine, they OUTSHINE,” it said.

Cassim said that Gem Sri Lanka will assist in uplifting the country’s economy by contributing to its growth, as lesser exposed international markets will find the Sri Lankan gems to be very lucrative, which may see an increase in foreign transactions and major local transactions for Sri Lankan gem purchases from international buyers.

Gem Sri Lanka will serve to boost the country’s economy while raising awareness on the availability of the country’s rarest and most valued natural gemstones. GSL will also allow for the observation and purchase opportunities for international as well as local buyers, under one roof.

CGJTA Vice Chairman Rizwan Nayeem said the response from the industry has been overwhelming with all booths sold out and positive response from prospective buyers from several parts of the world.

The CGJTA is the largest association for gem trade in Sri Lanka with over 2,000 members island-wide and the sole custodians of the oldest and largest open air gem market in the world – The Chinafort Beruwala Gem Market.

State Minister Dasanayake said Sri Lanka has the potential to boost gem exports to $ 2 billion from $ 500 million at present. He assured the Government’s fullest support to the upcoming exhibition as well as the overall industry.