Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Monday, 9 October 2023 00:16 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association Chairman Ajward Deen
National Gem and Jewellery Authority Chairman Viraj de Silva
EDB Chairman Dr. Kingsley Bernard
FACETS Sri Lanka Chairman Altaf Iqbal
Cinnamon City Hotels Area Vice President and Cinnamon Grand Colombo GM Kamal Munasinghe
SLGJA Local Promotions Committee Chairman Rizan Nazeer
The flagship gem and jewellery exposition FACETS Sri Lanka in its 30th edition slated for 6 to 8 January 2024 aims to make a bigger impact with the introduction of several new dedicated pavilions for the first time.
They include Sustainable Pavilion, Sapphire Masterpiece Pavilion, and Rough Stone Pavilion, Gem Lab Pavilion. The 2024 event will also feature a special ‘Reminisce of the Past’ Event. These are in addition to the customary Premier Gem Pavilion, Premier Jewellery Pavilion and NGJA SME Pavilion.
FACETS 2024, celebrating 30 years of excellence is organised by the industry beacon Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) in partnership with the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) and the Export Development Board (EDB). FACETS has been positioned as Asia›s premier gem and jewellery exhibition.
Organisers expect to draw over 8,000 trade visitors including from overseas to FACETS 2024 at the Atrium Lobby of the Cinnamon Grand. There will be over 150 booths.
FACETS Sri Lanka Chairman Altaf Iqbal said over the years FACETS Sri Lanka has become an important event in the international gem and jewellery calendar and 2024 too, it will serve as a much looked-forward meeting point for the global gem and jewellery sector, attracting prominent traders, gemstone and jewellery wholesalers, exporters, manufacturers, lapidaries, retailers, and collectors from across the globe.
“Several new pavilions are sure to add to what is already an amazingly comprehensive gem and jewellery showcase,” he added. Special travel and accommodation packages are on offer to woo more foreign visitors.
National Gem and Jewellery Authority Chairman Viraj de Silva welcomed the introduction of new pavilions. He said Sri Lanka has the potential to considerably improve the gem and jewellery, especially with value addition to imported rough stones and the country becoming a trading hub.
EDB Chairman Kingsley T. Bernard described FACETS as “multi-faceted” as it not only promotes gem and jewellery exports but also the country and tourism.
He said the export of gems at $ 400 million is the seventh largest foreign exchange earner of Sri Lanka and via greater value addition the figure could be increased.
SLGJA Chairman Ajward Deen said the Government-set target of $ 2 billion in exports is achievable if there is greater ease of doing business, liberalisation and facilitation. At present around 50% of the gem exports consist of imports and value-added.
Deen said greater liberalisation on imports as done in major centres such as Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok, will also benefit thousands of local lapidarists apart from enhancing export income and trade hub status within South Asia. Sri Lanka has around 70 varieties of gemstones.
FACETS Sri Lanka Chairman Altaf Iqbal said that the gem industry and tourism are intertwined and proactive support from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau could be a big fillip to boost both gem exports and MICE tourism.
At FACETS 2024 the Sustainable Pavilion will present the historical evolution of Sri Lanka›s gem and jewellery sector, along with its sustainability-related methods and approaches. It will also display the 2300-year history of the Sri Lankan gem trade from mine to market. The Sapphire Masterpiece Pavilion will display large, precious stones, and will be on sale on the final day of the show. The Rough Stone Pavilion will feature and display rough stones from all sourcing countries of the world.
The Premier Gem Lab Pavilion brings together leading local and international gem labs together under one roof. The NGJA SME Pavilion will offer selected SMEs from across the country to showcase their gems and jewellery. The SLGJA Gem and Jewellery Pavilion will showcase gem and jewellery stalls from SLGJA members.
The ‘Reminisce of the Past’ event will feature a variety of speakers including senior gem and jewellery merchants who will speak about a variety of topics including how business was conducted in the past, and how the industry has evolved from the early years of humble beginnings, to what it is today.
As in the past, the Premier Gem Pavilion will consist of leading Sri Lankan gem dealers who have been a part of FACETS Sri Lanka over an extended period, showcasing their gems for sale. The Premier Jewellery Pavilion will consist of prominent local jewellers, displaying their gems and finely crafted jewellery.
The SLGJA, formed in 2002, is the apex body for the gem and jewellery industry in Sri Lanka and represents all subsectors of the trade.
It said Sri Lanka has earned worldwide recognition as a veritable treasure trove of gemstones, renowned for producing some of the finest specimens in the world. As the oldest source country for coloured gemstones, Sri Lanka boasts a unique and vibrant selection of gemstones, complemented by exquisitely crafted jewellery that seamlessly blends international trends with elements of local culture.
Since its inception in 1991, FACETS Sri Lanka has thrived for 30 years, solidifying Sri Lanka›s reputation on the global stage as a premier destination for precious gems and jewellery. This exhibition consistently draws numerous international exhibitors and buyers and is a highly recommended destination for anyone in the Gem and Jewellery Industry. FACETS Sri Lanka 2024 will focus on the emotional resonance of design and craftsmanship and their evolution throughout history. Furthermore, it will offer insights into the future growth trajectory of the industry, emerging trends in jewellery design, and its anticipated appeal to a global audience in the years to come.
Pix by Upul Abayasekara
