FACETS to witness its largest foreign delegation yet

Monday, 18 June 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

FACETS 2012, Sri Lanka’s only International Gem and Jewellery Show which is expected to be held from 5 to 8 September this year at the BMICH is tipped to receive its biggest delegation of over 50 gem and jewellery dealers from different provinces China alone.

“China has been a loyal visitor to the exhibition, since we signed a Memorandum of Understanding five years ago with the China Gem traders Association,” said FACETS 2012 Chairman Juzar Adamaly. “Due to the effort of our Chairman Deshabandu Macky Hashim, last year we witnessed a large delegation from Kunming – China .We too have reciprocated, by taking part in many Exhibitions organised in China.”

FACETS 2012 is being held for the twenty second successful consecutive year whilst being a driving force for increased in export of Gems and Jewellery according to the Sri Lanka Export Development Board.

All 154 booths for the four day exhibition have been sold out yet the FACETS secretariat continues to receive inquires from foreign dealers and merchants to visit and exhibit. “We have already received 300 foreign online registrations, and with regards to queries for exhibiting we’ve declined them with much regret since we’ve sold-out the Facets Sri Lanka 2012 show.”

The exhibition which is organised by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association is sponsored by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board. According to the EDB, the exhibition is expected to garner interest, buyers and sellers with the target of achieving USD 1 billion by 2015.

At present Sri Lanka is in a range between 555 and 600 million with a target of USD 1 billion by 2015.

The Chief Guest will be the Minster in charge of the sector, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, while other Ministers expected to grace the occasion too. Renowned Gem dealers from Germany and Bangkok are to grace the event as a guest of honour for the opening day.

Secretary to the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association Ziqufi Ismail cited that buying gems from the source is always cheaper and countries like China, Russia and India are keen interest on investing and exporting. When asked of the reasons why there is renewed interest he commented that the laxative economic conditions prevailing post war and a zero tax regime for export and import of gems have made Sri Lanka much sought after.

Last year the exhibition had 8000 visitors, out of which 2000 were foreigners. He said, “India does not have gem stones at least not in the quality that which we offer. They specifically look for yellow Sapphires for astrological purposes and Hessonite Garnets.”