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| Sunday, 8 August 2004 |
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by Elmo Leonard When Sri Lanka's 14th annual international gem and jewellery show FACETS 2004 kicks off on 6 September, it will be themed the `Year of the Sapphire - Blue and More, Direct from the Source.' For the next two days, after the opening Sri Lanka will showcase the world's most colourful collection of precious stones as Blue Sapphires, Rubies and Chrysoberyls to Garnets, Padparadschas Pink, Yellow, Alexandrites, Cats Eyes, Star Sapphires, Orange Sapphires, Star Rubies, Garnets, Spinels, Topaz, Aquamarines, Moon Stones and more. For, Sri Lanka has 55 of the 140 known varieties of gemstones in the world and visitors have said that nowhere in the world are so many precious gems concentrated in such a small area. Also, that nowhere in the world are they all brought together in their sparkling radiance except at FACETS shows. Five years ago Sri Lanka's exports of precious stones amounted to Rs 3.5 to Rs 4 billion and last year exports touched Rs 7 billion. (Now Rs 100 to a U S dollar). Figures recorded by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Authority upto June 2004 tell a definite success story. The value of gemstones exported in 2003 amounted to Rs 2.8 billion and upto June 2004 this figure has almost doubled to Rs 4.3 billion recording an astounding increase of 52 percent in comparison to 2003. The total estimate for gem exports for 2004 is Rs 6.2 billion. The island's exports of jewellery picks up each year, with craftsmen schooling in designs which match changing international trends, Export Development Board (EDB) Director General, LSG Tillekeratne said. Jewellery exports in 2003 totalled Rs 481.8 million in comparison to Rs 676.2 million up to June 2004, an increase of 41 percent up to the corresponding month of June. The total estimate for jewellery exports for 2004 is Rs 918.0 million. Geuda exports which amounted to Rs 114.9 million in 2003 have increased to Rs 135.7 million up to June this year, recording an increase of 18 percent. The total estimate of Geuda exports for 2004 is Rs 173.0 million. EDB will also provide assistance to heat treat geudas. Diamond exports for 2003 recorded a figure of Rs 10.2 billion with figures up to June 2004 being Rs 12.2 billion - an increase of 19 percent in comparison to last year. Total estimated exports for 2004 are Rs 21.1 billion. Exports of diamond Jewellery in 2003 amounted to Rs 134.3 million and upto June 2004 an increase of 64 percent has been recorded with exports amounting to Rs 220.1 million. Total estimated exports of diamond jewellery for 2004 are Rs 253.0 million. Foreign exhibitors have increased their presence at FACETS over the years. Tanzania, Zambia and Vietnam have exhibited while Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and Australian Opals have been regularly exhibited. Myanmar is the new exhibitor this year. A six-member Tanzanian delegation was in Sri Lanka last week. Among them was Dr Jonas P. Kipoloka an advisor to the Tanzanian government and Tanzanian member of Parliament Kabuzef Rwilomba. Answering questions the former said that Tanzania began mining for precious stones in 1997. Their mission in Sri Lanka was to learn about the gem industry. "Sri Lanka is far advanced in gem technology and we consider them our big brother," Dr Kipoloka said. There is also a growing interest among buyers indicating their interest to attend the exhibition every year. This year buyers are expected from USA. Australia, UK. France, Germany Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong Saudi Arabia and Myanmar. A large consignment from India is also expected to attend the exhibition, FACETS Executive Director, Firoze Hassam said. The popularity of the FACETS shows trickles over to the small sector which is also represented at FACETS shows sponsored by the EDB. Last year, the small sector earned Rs 1.5 million in spot sales consequent to FACETS and a further Rs 2.5 million in orders, Tillekeratne told the media. Starting with 50 booths, FACETS has grown to 104 stalls this year only because Hilton Colombo cannot hold more stalls, Chairman, FACETS organising committee, Macky Hashim said. Next year, when the 15th FACETS show is held from 31 August to 3 September, the venue will be the new wing of the BMICH, and the number of stalls is expected to exceed 125, Hashim said. Approximately 500,000 people are directly involved in the gem and jewellery industry, contributing considerably to the economy of the country. Considerable foreign investment in lapidaries has been recorded with the establishment of BOI projects which have commenced with the inflow of international dealers to Sri Lanka as a direct result of their being introduced to the facilities available here though FACETS, Hashim said. |
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