Sri Lanka shines at Hong Kong Gem & Jewellery Fair

The Hong Kong Gem and Jewellery Fair, September 2009 is acclaimed as one of the world's top three fine jewellery fairs and the biggest jewellery fair in Asia, showcasing a wide range of products from fine finished jewellery, polished diamonds and gemstones, to all varieties of pearls, jewellery timepieces, packaging, displays, as well as jewellery-making equipment, tools and machinery.

Visitors making inquiries

In addition, the Fair has become the world's most internationalized fair in terms of visitors' nationality profile. The show organizer's M/S UBM Asia Ltd. has made a clear product sectorisation in-between AsiaWorld-Expo and Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with a view to facilitate overwhelming demand of the industry and to make best use of the new exhibition space to create more business opportunities. The new strategy was applied to all the exhibitors, aimed at concentrating similar categories of products in the same venue so as to enable buyers to locate the products they seek efficiently, while exhibitors could meet their target buyers intensively. The show boasted over 3000 exhibitors from 44 Countries and regions representing the broadest range of product categories, the utmost convenience and superior amenities. The Sri Lanka Pavilion at the above event was organized by National Gem and Jewellery Authority. The National Pavilion which displayed a glittering array of Gems from Sri Lanka presented by leading members of the Trade, attracted buyers of international repute from U.S.A. and other leading consuming countries. A total of 29 Sri Lankan companies exhibited a wide range of fine quality gems, calibrated gems and precision cut sapphires of different colours.

The global economic downturn has undoubtedly affected jewellery fairs worldwide in the first half of 2009. However, it can be seen that the leading consuming countries are slightly recovering from the recession, and the jewellery trade is also starting to show signs of increased activity.

The September Fair was benefited from this rebound; buyers have started replenishing inventory in preparation for the holiday shopping season. The Sri Lankan Exhibitors were successful in transacting business and securing orders for fine quality single pieces, calibrated sapphires and contract cutting. A few important buyers accepted the invitation extended by us to visit Facets Sri Lanka in September 2010, and agreed to get in touch with the show organizers.

Authority plans to organize national pavilions at following international events in the latter part of 2009.

(a) China International Jewellery Show Beijing (5/9 November) (b) China International Gold, Jewellery and Gem Fair Shanghai (26/29 November) (c) Jaipur Jewellery Show (JJS) (19/22 December)