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| Sunday, 15 May 2005 |
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Gems and jewellery nets Rs. 7 billion annually Gems and jewellery, the third highest revenue earner in the country earns Rs 7 billion annually compared to Rs 2.5 billion earned six years ago. The industry provides employment to 500,000 people, said Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, the Chief Guest at the opening of the Colombo Show, the International Gem and Jewellery Trade Fair. He said that earlier the country had only one international gem and jewellery show, the Facets but now the country can be proud of two international shows. The Premier assured all support and assistance to develop the industry. Chairman, Ceylinco Group Lalith Kotelawala said that the company opened an office in Germany 30 years ago and introduced diamond cutting to Sri Lanka from Belgium. There are 4-5 other factories and the Colombo cut is popular while Ceylinco is the pioneer. He said that there are more than 200 companies and 30,000 employees engaged in the gem cutting industry and therefore helping and financing the gem cutters is a must to develop the industry. Caliberating and certifying gems specially sapphires is essential so that buyers can purchase them without fear. Sri Lanka should become jewellery manufacturers by forging partnerships with big jewellery manufacturing companies,he said. Kotelawala said that small-time manufacturers should participate in fairs and exhibitions overseas to get exposure and they should be encouraged and supported at every turn as it will help generate foreign exchange to the country. Guest of Honour Mayor of Idar Aubestein Hans Juren Machwirth said that Idar Oberstein is world renowned for its 500-year-old gem and jewellery industry and is considered to be a gem metropolis. Nowhere else science and apprenticeship, production and trade are as much connected and concentrated as in Idar Oberstein. A number of teaching as well as research institutes up to university level in gem and jewellery design are available in Idar Oberstein. In addition the city boasts of the worldwide solely combined diamond and gem stock market. There are more than 200 firms in his town dealing in gems and jewellery and the links between Idar Oberstein and Sri Lanka dates back to over 100 years. These links can be developed for the benefit of both countries, he said. The show which concluded last Wednesday will be an annual event in the future, said chairman Ceylinco Gem Corporation T. Rusiripala, the principal sponsors of the event. There were more than 115 stalls and 150 exhibitors and buyers from Singapore, Germany, Thailand, Myanmar, Dubai and Bangkok. Foreign stallholders were happy that the show was open to the public as it gave them an opportunity to showcase their jewellery to the Sri Lankan public. They also hoped that it would be an annual event in the future. |
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