Sri Lanka to host 'JEWELS Sri Lanka 2012' International Gem and Jewellery Fair in December:

Making Sri Lanka, international gem and jewellery hub, govt's aim - minister

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

JEWELS Sri Lanka 2012, an International Gem and Jewellery Fair will be held from December 7 to 9 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. The fair will be organized by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and the Gemologists Association under the guidance of the Environment Ministry. The international exhibition is being organized for the second year.

"The government decided to introduce local small and medium scale gem and Jewellery manufacturers to all international exhibitions to showcase their talents and creativity to the international market, making Sri Lanka the international gem and Jewellery hub," Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said.

"Exporting cut gems and diamonds is not enough to have a good income. Sri Lankan gem and jewellery manufacturers should be encouraged to design jewellery as well," he said.

Expressing ideas about this international trade exhibition at a press briefing at the Information Department, Wednesday, the minister said the exhibition is expected to uplift the small and medium scale gem and jewellery dealers under the guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in keeping with the Mahinda Chinthana Future Vision.

"Last year was the golden year for gem and jewellery exports and exports. In the first half of this year it recorded 297 million US Dollars, recording a 35 percent increase over last year.

"Sri Lanka's gem and jewellery exports will see a record growth by 2016 and is expected to top the US dollar 1,000 million mark," National Gem and Jewellery Authority chairman Prasad Galhena said.

"JEWELS Sri Lanka 2012 will boost the local and foreign demand for Lankan gems and jewellery, Galhena said.

"We will work towards achieving the objectives of this industry by holding exhibitions and trade fairs locally and overseas and by providing incentives for it. There are two main exhibitions connected to the gem and Jewellery industry held in Sri Lanka and FACETS is one of them," he said.

JEWELS Sri Lanka 2012 International Trade Fair will be conducted in three halls of the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall complex. The authority decided to allot 100 stalls to large scale gem and jewellery dealers, 30 for educational programmes aimed at expanding knowledge on the jewellery sector and assisting freshers to the field and 70 stalls for small and medium scale entrepreneurs who are full of talent yet having economic difficulties.

Over 250 foreign buyers from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, Singapore and China expressed their interest to attend this event.

The National Gem and Jewellery Authority expects around 50,000 to participated in the exhibition.

The Gemologists Association of Sri Lanka also plays a vital role in promoting the gemological sector. Enhancing knowledge on gems ,introducing the experts in the fields, highlighting the talents and an interest in the field are the main objectives of this association.

The main sponsor for this trade fair will be provided by the Export Development Board while the co-sponsors are the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, People's Bank, Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, FedEx Express, SriLankan Airlines, Tourism Board, Mount Lavinia Grand Hotel, Printcare and Ranpath. Government institutions, such as the Economic Development Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, Industry and Commerce Ministry and Investment Board will also contribute to this event.

Sri Lanka Export Promotion Board chairman Janaka Rathnayake, Geological Surveys and Mines Bureau chairman Dr. N.P. Wijayananda, National Gem and Jewellery Authority Director General Nimal Bandara, JEWELS Sri Lanka 2012 Project Director Amal Tennakoon and Gemologists Association of Sri Lanka chairman Razwan Kamil were also present.