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| Sunday, 8 February 2004 |
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Franchise dealers for our gems in 7 countries by Elmo Leonard Franchise dealers for Sri Lanka's coloured precious gemstones and jewellery, will be appointed in Dubai, Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Milano and London. Interested entrepreneurs in these destinations have communicated with the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Authority (SLGJA) web site www.srilankagemautho.com. These dealers will also be authorised to act as dealers for Sri Lanka's coloured precious gemstones, Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Authority (SLGJA) Chairman, Tennekone Rusiripala, said. Sri Lanka will in a new manoeuvre to improve exports, recognise the six nations which purchased the highest amounts of gems and jewellery during the year 2003. The ambassadors of these nations, in descending order of purchases being, USA, Japan, India, Italy, Hong Kong and Germany, will be feted in Colombo on February 20. On the same occasion, for the first time, an awards presentation for the leading 100 local exporters of gems and jewellery will take place on February 19, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of SLGJA. SLGJA's export section, in Galle Face Terrace, Colombo 2, will be streamlined for efficient export servicing, within the next few months, SLGJA, Chairman, Tennekone Rusiripala, said. Jewellery manufacturers will within the first half of the year have to follow mandatory procedures such as carrying trade marks, caratage of the jewellery, hallmarking and assaying by SLGJA, making local products internationally accepted. Sri Lanka's gem and jewellery exports for 2003 reached Rs 7.3 billion and in 2002 the figure was Rs 8.5 billion. In a bid to replenish the island's dwindling gem stocks, SLGJA has opened up land in Balangoda, Wellawaya and Matara, hitherto unknown for gems, following scientific surveys conducted. These lands, together with terrain in the plantation districts of Bogawantalawa and Hatton, and other river beds in Ratnapura, will be auctioned for mining. A six-chain stretch along the Wey Ganga basin was auctioned for a record Rs 14.5 million. Legalising gem mining in river beds, is a bid to stop illegal mining. Rusiripala has met with the ambassadors of Myanmar and China (two countries which deal with gems and jewellery) and intends initiating a programme to improve trade relations with the two nations. With more Sri Lankans going to Madagascar to buy precious stones, the local authorities want to facilitate easy movement for Lankans within the African island, and are negotiating with the Madagascar authorities, Rusiripala said. A trade delegation from Tanzania, including the minister of mineralogy and trade chamber representatives are expected here in February or March. The African nation is a relatively new entrant as a coloured gemstone destination and wants to improve bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, including, employing local lapidarists. The export of geudas in rough form will be banned during this year, providing a basis for heat treating geudas, here. |
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