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.
| Models showcase Thai jewellery at the fashion event. |
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 accent was on design and quality for Thai jewellery,
showcased at the “Ploi Thai” pavilion at the 49th BGJF. |
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.
| The Zero VAT booth at the
BGJF, which allows the dutyfree
import of rough gems into
Thailand. |
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.
| The Zero VAT booth at the
BGJF, which allows the dutyfree
import of rough gems into
Thailand. |
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
