Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair Generally Successful Despite World Economic Crisis.

Bangkok, 3 October, 2008: The 42nd Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair concluded on September 15, 2008 with success despite the world economic crisis and local political circumstances yet the report from the organizers claimed that number of international visitors from targeted markets increased.

Chaiya Sasomsub Minister of Commerce presided over the opening ceremony of the 42nd Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair, on September 11, 2008, at Royal Jubilee Hall, Impact Challenger.

Many exhibitors, trade visitors and the fair’s organizers were pleased with the fair’s outcome both in terms of business volume and attendance at a time when several jewel trade shows were held almost concurrently in this region.

Chaiya addressed a large crowd of well-wishers as he opened the BGJF on a positive note stating that, “During the past 7 months of this year (January to July), export of gems and jewellery accounted to US$ 4,534.27 million, up 107.82 per cent from the previous year’s figure, ranking forth of the country’s total export products with a ratio of 4.35 per cent. Target export growth of 2008 is expected to increase by 20 per cent.

The five-day event generated over 27,000 million baht of trade receipts. Total of 1,115 companies in around 3,500 booths, both domestic and international, gained attention from visitors despite the world’s economic difficulties.

Exports Growth Despite Difficulties :

The number of visitors has not changed compared to the 41st edition of the fair. However, the value of Thai gems and jewellery exports in the first half of this year surged 30% year-on-year to US$1,890.38 million with all of the major markets recording growths 26.68% rise for the US, 279.84% jump for Hong Kong and 37.49% increase for India.

According to The Thai Gem & Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA) President Vichai Assarasakorn, TGJTA has received staunch support from the Government, which despite some changes, has remained committed to a series of policies that will give an impetus to the growth of Thailand’s gems and jewellery industry.

Wider Penetration Successful :

Moreover, the effort to penetrate targeted markets like the Middle-East, Russia, China and India, in collaboration with the Thai government agencies, have received favorable response from the public and private sectors of the countries.

Statistic shows that number of visitors from these targeted markets have increased dramatically during 2008. This is another factor that the organizers of the fair decided to launch Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair to be the world’s gems and jewellery hub.

The launching of Design Pavilion will be the first step towards changing the status of BGJF in becoming the world’s gems and jewellery hub. Somchai Phornchindarak, CEO of Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair devoted prime 500m2 space to set up the Design Pavilion, a gallery where fresh expression in the world of jewellery design is unfolded, avant-garde designs, unique creations, award-winning collections, beautiful, bold and spirited objet d’ arts are unveiled. More than 100 pieces of objet d’ arts from over 80 celebrated Thai and international jewellery designers were chosen to inaugurate the Design Pavilion.

Awards for Designers :

Besides, TGJTA is opening up a gate of opportunity for talented and spirited jewellery designers, both amateurs and professionals by introducing Thailand International Jewellery Awards (TIJA) 2009 that offers a chance for local and international designers to garner an international recognition in a major competition. Designers will only need to submit sketches of their designs and details of their compositions. Designs which win awards and passing the semi-final will be turned into final products by good jewellery manufacturers nominated and sponsored by BGJF. The deadline for submission by e-mailing to design@tija2009.com, is November 5, 2008.

BGJF is one of the best world gems and jewellery events ever staged in Thailand. That opinion is shared by many people who attended, exhibited and cooperated.

“We were pleased by the buyers and visitors’ response and turnout at the 42nd BGJF,” said Somchai. “We are continuing to evolve the fair in response to the need of both buyers and exhibitors especially in the field of trade participation.” The B2B session known as OSP Business Matching has worked successfully. It continues to provide exhibitors with the best exposure to the buyers from around the world in a business-friendly environment created by the fair. The cyber business matchmaking facility provides traders with a quick access to over 1,000 exhibitors at BGJF, learning about their offerings, and establishing contacts from anywhere in the world around the clock.

Hot New Designs Show :

According to the organizers of BGJF the 43rd edition of the Thai Fair that will be held from February 25 to March 1, 2009, will present a different show. The March show will be all about fashion and trends in jewellery as the upcoming fair is scheduled to be the stage for the winners of TIJA to first launch their creations to the world. This Hot New Designs show will feature over 100 entries, while the list of precious jewellery pieces made by Thai manufacturers and destined for the TGJ Elite Creations is promised to be extensive.

Visiting the BGJF does not need to be all work and business. Aside from claiming to be the global gems and jewellery hub and with its bustling gems and jewellery trade, the Land of Smile has much more to offer. The organizers want to tell the foreign friends and partners to take advantage of being at BGJF to gain good personal experience which the Kingdom offers.

Bangkok Show- Candid Comments :

Nuthajong Sriunpai (Key Gem Co. Ltd.) Bangkok .

This year the Show was slow. The first day was good for us. We have been a regular participant in this Show for the past five years.

We get major buyers from USA and Middle-east. I think the business is going down as a lot of people today are trying to keep cash. The trend is of mid price jewellery.

I have a view that after US election in a year things should change. India is a huge market and is growing very fast. There are a lot of retailers from India here at the Show. Under FTA it is beneficial to both.

Prathana Phasurakul (Metamorphose Co. Ltd.)

From the past 4 years, we have been are a regular participants of the Bangkok gems fair. This year the Show is slow but we have received some interesting inquiries. We are manufacturers for 18kt hand-made gold jewellery with semi-precious stones. Majority of our buyers were from Japan / USA / Europe. The state of emergency in Bangkok had a negative impact on the show. We hope to see more buyers in Hong Kong next week.

The combination of colors and exclusive designs are our key to success. We make light weight jewellery. India is now an important market for us and we hope we should do good business with them.

Nirmal Bardiya (RMC Gems Ltd.)

We have been participating in this Show for many years. We have the highest collection of precious and semi-precious gemstones. The Show was slow this year compared to previous years . There may be many reasons like – Global Economy state of recession and emergency in Thailand. This year I feel the Russian buyers have given the maximum support. I think the major buyers were from Russia and Middle-east. Blue topaz enjoys good demand in Russian market.

Americans numbered less in the Show.