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| Sunday, 22 February 2004 |
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Lanka fetes gem buyers Sri Lanka's high potent gem and jewellery industry, in an attempt to leapfrog into international prominence, will hold its first 'Achiever Awards', 2003, on February 24. The premier government organisation in the gem and jewellery industry, the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA), will conduct the awards presentation, which will be an annual event, NGJA chairman, Tennekone Rusiripala, told the media. Sri Lanka's gem and jewellery exports for 2003 reached Rs 7.4 billion, a 10 percent increase over 2002. Last year, gem exports yielded Rs. 5.98 billion, from Rs 5.66 billion in 2002. The gem and jewellery sector has had a steep rise since the annual international FACETS trade shows, conducted by the private sector, 14 years ago. The first ten countries which purchased the highest amount of gems and jewellery will be recognised and, the ambassadors of these nations, have been invited for the event. Among the other categories which would be recognised are, gem exports and jewellery exports. Service gem cutting would be another category, and Sri Lanka is making a late start in promoting this industry. India is known to have a large service gem cutting industry of around one million, where gem cutting is undertaken for re-export. China also has a large service gem cutting industry. Diamond exports and exports of diamond studded jewellery are two more categories up for recognition. Assaying and hallmarking will also be appreciated and, in the future, this exercise will be made mandatory for the gem and jewellery industry, Rusiripala said. Already, some gem and jewellery manufacturers had requested for the services of the SLGJA for assaying and hallmarking. Special contributions to the industry is another category which would be acknowledged. (EL) |
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