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| Tuesday, 10 August 2004 |
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Foreign buyers to participate in Facets Sri Lanka 2004 by Shirajiv Sirimane
"The year of the Sapphire - Blue and more, Direct from source" is the theme of the event and already many foreign buyers have confirmed their participation for the event. According to executive director of the Facets Secretariat, Firoze Hassan the Facets Secretariat the main focus of the show is to create awareness among the many visiting international gem buyers and dealers that Sri Lanka is a direct source of precious and semi-precious stones. The show will help provide a showcase of traditional and contemporary jewellery designed by local craftsmen. The industry is very strong in Ratnapura and even small self- employed industrialists from the Kandy and Matara districts would be participating in large numbers," he said. The exhibition which originally hosted around 20 stalls, will increase to over 100. Foreign exhibitors too have increased their presence at Facets over the years and this year exhibitors from Tanzania, Zambia, Myanmar, India and Vietnam have participated while Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and Australian Opals have been regular exhibitors. The exhibition will display an imposing array of precious gemstones and exquisitely crafted gold and silver jewellery for the discerning buyer. The event organised by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association is sponsored by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) The official airline would be SriLankan airlines. The gem and jewellery sector is one of the most profitable economic areas in the country. Sri Lanka's gem exports reached Rs. 5 billion, last year and jewellery exports over Rs. 3.3 billion, according to the Gem Authority. The Chief Guest at the Facets show this year will be a Thai buyer Hao Tang, who visits Sri Lanka frequently to buy gems. The Gem industry in Sri Lanka (also known as Ceylon, Serendib, etc..) has been in existence for over 2500 years. Some of the rarest of gem stones of exquisite beauty have taken pride of place, in the Crown jewels of Kings and Queens from the time of Great Roman Emperors. |
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The 14th annual 'Facets Sri Lanka 2004', Sri Lanka's premier
International Gem and Jewellery show, will be held from September 6 to 8
at the Hilton Colombo.
