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by Elmo Leonard

Sri Lanka and Thailand reciprocated goodwill at the 14th Annual FACETS International Gem and Jewellery Show held in Colombo last week, with Thai national Hao Tang accepting the role of guest of honour, while 14 years ago Thailand was Lanka's arch rival in the international gem trade.

Proprietor of Universal Gems Australia Shanthi Wimalaratna one of the oldest families engaged in the trade of pearls with Mrs Rajapakse, Macky Hashim and Hao Tang.

Fourteen years ago the FACETS show was started to counter the move of Thai nationals who purchased large stocks of semi-precious geudas which they converted into high-value Sapphires and succeeded in making Bangkok the capital of the world's gem trade.

With Sri Lanka again firmly established in its historical saddle as the centre of the world's coloured precious stones, the guest of honour, Hao Tang who is the president of T R Gems Ltd, Bangkok, was elated by the honour bestowed on him. In 1977 when Hao first visited Sri Lanka he had found that the country had two unique aspects: the greenery of its tea gardens and the extraordinary beauty of coloured precious gemstones.

"It is my greatest pleasure that we were successful in promoting the natural gemstone market and smooth friendship of our countries.

We have promoted and advertised natural Ceylon gemstones till it became well-known over the world," he said.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse sent a message which said that exports of precious stones had in 2003 reached Rs 7 billion (Rs 100 to a US dollar) from Rs 3.5 billion five years ago.

The Prime Minister quoted the Export Development Board which projects that by 2007 the country has the potential of earning $500 million from gemstones, creating 10,000 new jobs over a five year period and attracting $50 million in FDI. Chairman of the FACETS organising committee, Macky Hashim said that FACETS had now become a "must-attend-event" for gem and jewellery dealers of international repute.

The coloured precious stones and jewellery on display received wide attention from leading buyers from all over the world.

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