FACETS Int’l Gem and Jewellery Exhibition to kick off next month
The Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association announced that the 28th edition of the FACETS International Gem and Jewellery Exhibition will kickoff on August 30, backed by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and the Export Development Board (EDB).
, at a press conference held recently at Ozo Colombo.
The exhibition will span from August 30 to September 2, 2018, at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre with the launch of the exhibition scheduled to be held under the patronage of chief guest of the ceremony, President Maithripala Sirisena and the Mahaweli Development and Environment Ministry.
Renowned gemmologist and author Vladyslav Yavorskyy will be present as guest of honour, with his latest book ‘Sri Lanka Gems’ to be launched in the form of a coffee table book in Sri Lanka for the first time at the inaugural ceremony.
National Gem and Jewellery Authority Chairman Peshala Jayaratne elaborated on the positive vision and motive of hosting an event of this calibre, and concluded by thanking the members of the head table.
The head table at the conference was seated by Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association Chairman A.H.M. Imtizam, FACETS Sri Lanka 2018 Chairman Mushtaq Jabir, Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association Secretary Sheriff Rahuman, National Gem and Jewellery Authority Chairman Peshalajayaratne, EDB Chairperson Indira Malwatta and Local Promotions Committee Chairman Rizan Nazeer.
Also speaking at the press conference, EDB Chairperson Indira Malwatta said, “As a founder member of the organising committee of FACETS, EDB is honoured to be part of the inauguration of the 28th edition of FACETS. I suppose that this is the only trade fair that has continued for a period of 28 years. I think it owes a lot, more than to government, to the private sector, entrepreneurs and all those engaged in the gem and jewellery sector that kept it going.” She went on to say, in reference to a gemological survey to be undertaken by the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka needs to improve the quantity of stones available, emphasising on the uniqueness of Sri Lankan sapphires as locally mined stones.malwatta also stated that the EDB encourages the import of stones for developing of the lapidary sector, referring to the fact that Sri Lanka has come a long way since precision stones are also being cut locally for the watch industry in Geneva, Switzerland.
The exhibition will also offer a glimpse into the lapidary sector of the gem and jewellery industry, as a number of stalls are expected to house machinery and tools that can be used to cut and polish gemstones and craft jewellery.
“This is one sector that I would actually expect, within the next five years, we should be able to achieve a US$ 1 billion in exports,” she added. “One pillar of economic development would be exports and the other would be the foreign direct investments (FDIS) that should come to Sri Lanka. Even to get FDIS in these sectors, we have to have our procedures simplified so that it becomes attractive for investors.”
Delegations from countries like Nepal, Myanmar, China, Russia and France will be featured at the exhibition and more individual buyers are expected to attend the event, increasing international exposure for the local industry.
The FACETS International Gem and Jewellery Exhibition aims to feature allround suitable styles and cost efficiency, from precious stones, gold and silver jewellery and exquisite watches to semiprecious stones, coloured stones, and costume jewellery.