Gem and jewellery exports increase
*Gemstone export revenue tops Rs 1,635 million
*Jewellery exports record Rs 301 million
Sumanachandra Ariyawansa from Singapore
Sri Lanka’s gem, diamond and jewellery export sector has recorded an
overall growth of more than 50 percent as at end of 2012. Revenue has
increased significantly in comparison to the corresponding year’s figure
of Rs.24,459 million in 2011.Therefore, Sri Lanka could be promoted as a
gem and jewellery hub in the region, a senior official said.
|
Eager buyers at the Singapore International gem and jewellery
show which was opened at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel ,Singapore
yesterday. The show will be held till July7. Picture by
Sumanachandra Ariyawansa |
The export of gemstones brought in revenue of Rs 1,635 million
recording a 39 percent growth while jewellery exports generated revenue
of Rs 301 million showing an impressive 121 percent growth. The service
cutting industry showed signs of recovery by recording an Rs 26 million
income with a 50 percent growth.
“Sri Lanka is exporting gems to several countries which have shown a
keen interest in fine quality blue sapphires of large sizes and the
prices fetched by unheated sapphires were unprecedented.
Therefore participating for an event like “Singapore International
Jewellery Show” for the seventh consecutive year would help to promote
our gem and jewellery products internationally” National Gem and
Jewellery Authority (NGJA) Director General R.M.Janaka Udaya Kumara
Daily News Business. Sri Lanka retains a world market position as a
producer of fine quality gems and has some of the greatest varieties of
gems in the world.
Therefore, Singapore being the fourth largest importer of Sri Lankan
gems has given the country partner status at this exhibition from its
inception, which is one of the big opportunities to strengthen trade
links, he said.
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Janaka Udaya Kumara Director
General National Gem
and Jewellery Author |
In the export market promotion programme this year, the NGJA intends
to organize “Sri Lankan Pavilions” in a number of international gem and
jewellery events including this event “Gem and Jewellery Show Singapore
2013.In this event we got a very spacious pavilion to exhibit our gem
and jewellery, he said.
According to Janaka Udaya Kumara ten countries and 200 exhibitors are
participating in the event, which is a good opportunity for Sri Lanka to
enhance trade links and promote our gem and jewellery in order to
position Sri Lanka as a gem hub in the region. Further, the government
has identified the gem and jewellery industry as one of the thrust areas
of development, which has given unprecedented incentives to the sector
through the last budget, which helps the country to promote itself as a
hub in the region in future, he said.
The Director General said with this development they are now in the
process of promoting eco friendly mining practices among local gem
miners, which was the need of the hour to promote this sector in a more
sustainable way.
The U.S.A., Thailand, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Italy, France, India,
Malaysia, Singapore, China, Canada and Germany are among the top export
destinations for Sri Lankan gems and Jewellery.
Today we are promoting our products in world class trade fairs and
exhibitions held in many countries such as the U.S.A., Japan, Hong Kong,
Switzerland, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, China, India and France, he
said.
There will be several mega events such as the Jewellery Shanghai
Show, Hyderabad Jewellery, Pearl and Gem Fair, Hong Kong International
Jewellery Show, Malaysia International Jewelex, China International
Jewellery Show (Beijing) and China International Gold, Jewllery and Gem
Fair (Shanghai) during this year. |
