By Cynthia Unninayar

Providing a large stage for Thai jewellery manufacturers and gem dealers, the bi-annual Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair (BGJF), organized by the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA) kicked off its 49th edition in February with the accent on jewellery design and production technology.

Despite the damage caused by the recent flooding in large parts of Bangkok and central Thailand—the worst in 70 years—and the challenges of the continued weak jewellery markets in the euro zone and the United States, the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair took placed as scheduled. “The BGJF management team monitored the situation on a daily basis, and ultimately decided to hold the fair according to the original schedule,” explained fair officials. “While the floods had no direct effect on the fair itself, many jewellery producers, notably those located on the outskirts of Bangkok, suffered flood damage. At a time when export markets are slow, the floods have imposed a heavy economic burden on many of these manufacturers. That the 49th Fair went off as planned stands as a tribute to the resilience and adaptability of the Thai gem and jewellery industry.”

At this edition of the BGJF, special focus was given to the revitalization of the global jewellery and gems industry, with an emphasis on innovation not only in terms of design but also in terms of production technology. “These are necessary to successfully compete in the constantly changing gems and jewellery global market,” declared Somchai Phornchindarak, President of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association.”

“The gems and jewellery sector is one of Thailand’s most important industries, with exports exceeding US$12 billion,” stated Deputy Commerce Minister Poom Sarapol during the opening ceremony. “The industry sustains more than a million skilled workers and their families .” Clearly, the Thai government places great importance on this sector and has been helping to “streamline trade by reducing obstacles and challenges such as taxes and tariffs, as well as other regulations. The DITP’s newly opened website, Thaitrade.com, will further facilitate online trade for gems and jewellery from Thailand,” he added.

The theme of this year’s fair was “Thailand: Ruby Capital,” an apt choice since Thailand supplies the vast majority of rubies to the global market. The ruby theme was echoed in the Design Pavilion with a range of excellent ruby-set pieces, presented under the designation of “Ploi Thai to the World.” (The term “Ploi Thai” is Thailand’s own country name for the gems produced and cut in the nation.) The annual Ploi Thai Jewellery Creation design competition featured original and high quality entries in both gold and silver, which reflected the skills of Thai designers, gem cutters, and craftsman.

With each edition, the BGJF becomes more international. This year, the International Pavilion featured 36 countries, including newcomers from South Korea (eight exhibitors) and the Israel Diamond Institute (twelve exhibitors), while Hong Kong, India, and Italy are well established. More than 31,300 visitors, including nearly 10,300 from abroad, came to see the products of more than 1200 total exhibitors. Another international aspect of the BGJF is the Zero VAT booth, where suppliers from around the world can bring in rough stones for sale in Thailand, free of customs duties and value-added tax (VAT). Since 2010, Zero VAT imports of rough have enabled Thai cutters to secure adequate supplies of raw materials.

One of the largest groups of exhibitors was the silver sector. Following the global economic slump and the rising gold prices, Thai silver jewellery exports have increased, and the nation is now the largest single exporter of silver jewellery. It is also the leading exporter of silver jewellery to the USA.

Another large section of the fair was devoted to gemstones, not surprising since Thailand is one of the world’s major gem cutting centres. The industry received a big boost in 2010 when the 27-percent import duty on rough was removed and the Zero VAT program was implemented. Thanks to the efforts of the TGJTA, these measures are a good example of cooperation between the government and the private sector.

The 50th edition of the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair will be held September 13 to 17, 2012.

www.bangkokgemsfair.com