(IDEX Online) – Thai government agencies and presidents from gems and jewelry associations across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region got together with the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA) to promote the inaugural Thailand Gems & Jewelry Fair.

 

The show will be held from June 15 to 18 at IMPACT Challenger 2, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok.

 

Suttipong Damrongsakul (third from left), President of the TGJTA welcomed Wang Haijin (fifth from left), Executive Chairman of GD Coloured Gemstone & Jewelry Chamber of Commerce, China; Ouyang Yangjun (fourth from left), President of Guang Dong Institute of Diamond Jade & Jewelry, China; Peter Xie (first from left), President of Guang Dong Golden Jewelry and Jade Industry’s Association, China; Aung Kyaw Win (second from left), Vice Chairman, Gem & Jewellery Entrepreneurs Association (Yangon Region), Myanmar; Ermin Siow (sixth from left), 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, at the press conference for the Fair 2017 as a demonstration that the overseas associations and their members fully support the mid-year fair in Bangkok.

 

“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. “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 jewelry manufacturing and trading.”

 

The regional framework known as the ASEAN Plus Six, consists of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea.

 

The gems and jewelry industry in Thailand employs over a million people, with exports amounting to $14.25 billion in 2016, up 29.6 percent on the preceding year, the TGJTA said. The mid-year fair is expected to stimulate gems and jewelry trading both for domestic and export markets, it added.

 

“The fair will be a great opportunity for gemstone traders in Thailand to meet overseas buyers," said Suttipong. "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. We also expect to see buyers from Europe and the US who will be looking for quality raw materials and finished products in various styles at the fair.”

 

Damrongsakul and delegates received a visit from 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) at the press conference. The ministry supports the gems and jewelry industry in general and the Thailand Gems & Jewelry Fair 2017 in particular, to promote Thailand as a jewelry shopping destination for tourists.

 

Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, said: "The Thai Cabinet has approved the project to promote Thailand as the world's hub for gems and jewelry, therefore the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is determined to promote Thailand as the gems and jewelry shopping destination for overseas tourists. We have several jewelry 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 jewelry from Mahesak Road, Yaowarat Road, Charoenkrung Road, Khaosan Road, Silom and Surawongse Road, and Baan Mor Area.

 

The Thai government has granted tax incentives to support Thai and overseas gems and jewelry companies and facilitate trading. Exhibitors and buyers enjoy zero import duty on all jewelry and zero VAT for rough stones.

 

The fair will also feature an Innovation Pavilion showcasing new industry trends and innovations, and highlighting Thailand’s strength as a world-class hub for gems and jewelry. Other activities, such as seminars and workshops, by expert keynote speakers will provide a platform for industry networking.