We need to open up more mines and find new deposits - Macky Hashim
“Come September, come FACETS” is a phrase that is not only known of and heard here in Sri Lanka but echoed and talked off in the Gem and Jewellery fraternity around the world. FACETS 2012 is expected to be held from the September 5th to 8th at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre at the BMICH. It is the much anticipated and sought after International Gem and Jewellery exhibition to be staged in Sri Lanka.
The exhibition has attracted large delegations from across the world, in particular China, India and Russia within the past few years and is likely to grow in numbers this year as well. One person who has been there from the very first exhibit in the 60s to the present is M.Macky Hashim, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association. He is also the director at the National Gem & Jewellery Authority. Below are excerpts of an interview with him about the gem and jewellery sector and the much anticipated FACETS 2012.
Q:Q:Could you tell us about the origin of FACETS?
As someone who founded and handled it for more than 10 years – I believe the main objective of staging the exhibition is to focus on the importance of Sri Lanka as one of the most valued source of gem stones in the world. It is said that out of nearly 160 varieties of gem stones known in the world, Sri Lanka produces nearly 50 to 55 varieties of these precious and semi-precious gem stones. Hence the world Gem trade has recognized Sri Lanka for its precious and semi-precious tones.
Sri Lanka is also the source of the well known “Ceylon Sapphires.” The gem stone has gained in popularity and opulence since many of its varieties are adorned by royalties – i.e. from Queen Victoria’s time to the recent Royal Engagement. They’ve used Ceylon Sapphires in their crowns as well as jewellery. There the fame Sri Lanka received for its gemstones have been known for decades around the world.
In the late 60s and 70s however, there was a shift in the trade towards the Far East and Sri Lanka was losing its status and central position as a key source for gem stones. It was at this time that the Sri Lanka Gem Trade Association thought it would be fitting to stage an annual gem and jewellery show for traders in Sri Lanka to showcase their products and for the visiting delegations to see and buy. Could you tell us about the objective of FACETS?
From its inception in the 90s, the exhibition has slowly but steadily grown and it is now a sought after event on the International calendar of gem and jewellery exhibitions around the world. The slogan “Come September, come FACETS” has gained international reputations.
By staging the exhibition, our association has given the opportunity for gem and jewellery traders to exhibit the stocks in trade to the international buyers and to the local merchants.
The event has also permitted small timers to come into the open and exhibit and experience the art of taking part in the exhibition and also develop their marketing skills.
Furthermore our traders have now become experts in taking part in International exhibitions around the world and specifically in America, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong and in emerging markets like China and India.
Q:Q:FACETS is known for its contributions to the economy. Could you tell us of your expectations having wit nessed all of it.
FACETS Sri Lanka is now staging its 22nd annual gem exhibition which is fully booked and eagerly awaited by the International buyers. International buyers have increased in number each year. The event is more popular now and since Sri Lanka is free from its past “war legacy” and a relaxed climate for investments prevails, International buyers are lured to come and conduct their business activities here, for which we are thankful to the government and H.E the President.
Our target is to achieve a USD of 1 billion mark by 2015/2016 – against which our earning from this trade and exhibition has achieved nearly 60 percent of the target. Again this is only possible due to the efforts by the current government to facility trade and expands the industry without restrictions.
We hope this year’s exhibition will help us to move ahead from our present position towards this target that we hope to achieve. FACET this year is expecting a huge delegation from China itself. Could you elaborate more on this?
China today is a very important market as we’ve seen it grow, we’ve had an increase in their number of trade visits and delegations in the last 4-5 A. Year on year, FACET exhibition has introduced new and innovating programs like the jewellery design contest and the gem cutting contest as well as jewellery fashion shows which have helped expose hidden talents of our local craftsman to come out with new designs and models.
Q:Having worked and seen this industry from its infancy, can you tell us of its status today and what it lacks?
The gem and jewellery industry has developed to the position of meeting international requirements in gem cutting technology, jewellery designs, requirements and other modern technological inputs into the industry. More and more dealers are now making their products in line with international specifications and designs.
For further development of the industry, we need to open up more mines and find new deposits for gem stones. We’ve already started looking at sourcing rough stones and raw materials from other countries like Africa, India, Myanmar, Vietnam, Pakistan and Afghanistan where recent findings indicate the presence of gem stones.
Our industry needs to work on using more modern technologies and equipment to further their work and trade.