27th annual edition of Facets Sri Lanka from 31 August to 3 Sept.

Monday, 24 July 2017 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

IN-3 Launching the Facets mobile app

By Saranie Wijesinghe

Amassing great local and global prestige over the past 26 years, the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association will present the 27th edition of FACETS Sri Lanka from 31 August to 3 September at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall.

Held uninterrupted since its inception in 1991, this annual show links vendors, buyers and visitors in trading the finest gem and jewellery products in the industry.

Organised by the Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association and sponsored by the National Gem & Jewellery Authority and the Export Development Board, the FACETS International Gem & Jewellery Exhibition will be held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena.

FACETS Sri Lanka 2017 Chairman Musthaq Jabir told a media conference last week that show has been a major contributor to the national economy by strengthening exports and promoting industry development. In addition, owing to the rapidly ascending popularity of the show both on local and foreign platforms, it has been instrumental in building strong trade connections within the industry.

Benefits lie for local entrepreneurs featured at the exhibition in the opportunities available for forming trade contacts, gaining exposure and marketing their products on a renowned international platform.

In the interest of heading Sri Lanka towards being the gem and jewellery hub in the South Asian Region and in lieu of the show gaining worldwide recognition, delegations and individual buyers from across the seas such as Nepal, Myanmar, Honk Kong, Russia, China and France are expected to attend, broadening the lens and scope on the local industry.

IN-3.1 FACETS holds in store something for every visitor, regardless of budget, as it will showcase not only precious gems and priceless jewellery but also costume jewellery and exquisite watches. The exhibition will also feature a glimpse into the world of gem and jewellery production, with various pieces of machinery and tools used in production on display. Industry related academic institutes will be present to cater to the budding students and entrepreneurs interested in the field, to gain an overall knowledge and opportunities available within the industry.

The Premier Jewellery Pavilion, bringing together five renowned jewellery houses in Sri Lanka, following its unveiling last year, along with the Gem & Jewellery Mart, also established in 2016, towards rewarding the labours of the local SME and entrepreneurs, will also be featured at the exhibition.

EDB Chairperson Indira Malwatte addressed the efforts towards developing the sector, products and design, as well as promoting the industry internationally, mainly in Paris and Russia. She further addressed the depression of the international market in prior years and its consequent pickup of 33% within the last six months, placing FACETS at the optimum position for stakeholders within the market.

IN-3.2

A novel concept introduced is the FACETS app which provides users with information pertaining to the event, be it a list of booth-holders, specific events, layout of the booths, information about FACETS, the exhibition rules and regulations and the opportunity to register online and thus avoid the hassle of standing in line to gain passes. The app is available for download on the apple store and the android app store.