Gem and jewellery exports record US$ 101m

Facets 2005 at BMICH from August 31

by Irangika Range

Sri Lankan gem and jewellery exports in 2004 recorded US$ 101.23 million. It was a significant growth when compared to the previous year, said Senior Manager (Export and Export Promotion) of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) Ajith Perera.

The Booth Holders Meeting was conducted between booth holders and the Facets organising committee in Colombo recently. Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association organised this 15th International Gem and Jewellery Exhibition (Facets) 2005 while the Export Development Board and NGJA are principal sponsors of the event. This will be held on August 31 to September 3 at the BMICH.

Perera said that the Sri Lankan gem and jewellery exports in the first half of this year also recorded a US$ 44.80 million revenue. Sri Lanka has been renowned for the finest gemstones in the world and the task is to promote the entire industry considering the improvements of its value addition.

Facets will increase awareness about local gem and jewellery both nationally and internationally. It will help boost export earnings," Perera said.

He said there are leading 120 international gem and jewellery exhibitions in the world. Facets is recognised as one of them. The NGJA will facilitate ten SMEs to participate in the exhibition and has obtained five booths for them. With the setting up of a new Gem Export Center in the Cargo Village in Katunayake, the authority has facilitated gem and jewellery exporters by providing them the 24 hour service. Registered exporters and foreign buyers are able to engage in export activities in this Gem Export Center at anytime.

Facets, Organising Committee, Chairman, Macky Hashim said that the Facets is the only national gem and jewellery show which is recognised worldwide. The main objective of the Facets is to provide many opportunities to develop Sri Lanka as a major gem and jewellery hub in the world.

"As organisers, we have planned to facilitate both local and foreign participants on booth arrangements, security and other basic requirements to conduct this event successfully. As there is a high demand for booths, we have planned to conduct it in the BMICH this year to set up more booths for local and foreign participants.

We are happy to inform that 95 percent of the booths have been sold out and there are many foreign participants among the booth holders. Many international buyers will visit the exhibition this year," he said.