Record number of buyers to visit FACETS 2009

The highest number of foreign buyers is due to visit FACETS Sri Lanka in its 19-year history of the international gem and jewellery exhibition, a media release said.

The exhibition scheduled to be held from September 3-6 at the BMICH has already received confirmations from nearly 200 foreign buyers who are eyeing the wide range of local precious and semi precious stones as well as the intricately designed jewellery.

It is organized by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) and is sponsored by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority. The Sri Lanka Export Development Board is also a co-organizer and sponsor.

Delegations are expected from the Diamond Bourse in Moscow, Gem and Jewellery Trade Association of China, Diamond Bourse in Israel, Gem and Jewellery Trade Council of India. Buyers from Hong Kong, Singapore and individual buyers from Iraq, USA, Nigeria and Europe have already confirmed their arrival for Sri Lanka's only international gem and jewellery show.

"As the industry association, we have initiated many steps to attract buyers to Sri Lanka and FACETS.

This is the result of these efforts", said Chairman of the FACETS 2009 Organizing Committee Chanaka Ellawala.

According to Ellawala, a number of facilities for official buyer delegations have been arranged to promote their participation at FACETS. These include concessionary airfares on SriLankan Airlines, complimentary hotel accommodation at the Hilton Colombo, complimentary airport transfers, a complimentary shuttle service from the Hotel to the show venue and a tour to see gem mining in Ratnapura.

Buyers will have easy access to banking facilities where the Bank of Ceylon and Nations Trust Bank will provide on-site transactions support.

Arrangements have been made by the SLGJA for export of these gems and jewellery directly from the show venue. Sri Lanka Customs and the National Gem and Jewellery Authority will provide onsite assistance on export procedures.

FACETS also offers numerous trade and business opportunities to other industries such as the tourism, travel and hotel sectors.

FACETS is also supported and sponsored by SriLankan Airlines, Bank of Ceylon, Nations Trust Bank, Mobitel, Hilton Colombo, Securo Dynamics, Malca-Amit freight forwarders, Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau. Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services is the event manager.

FACETS Sri Lanka is endorsed by the Ministry of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion and the Ministry of Export Development and International Trade and the Ministry of Tourism.