Facets 2012, to showcase world’s finest products under one roof
Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA
Facets 2012, the country’s premier gem and jewellery exhibition will
be held from September 5 to 8 at the BMICH in Colombo. The exhibition
will be sponsored by the National Gem and Jewellery Association and
co-sponsored by the Export Development Board.
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Model displaying precious gem and jewellery items at the launch
of Facets 2012 in Colombo on Tuesday |
‘Facets is the country’s only international gem and jewellery
exhibition showcasing the world’s finest products under one roof. The
National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) will have a three prong
approach to develop the industry in reaching US $ 1 billion export
revenue by 2015. With the opening of the Chineses market we are
experiencing influx of foreign buyers in past few years, National Gem
and Jewellery Authority Chairman and CEO Prasad Galhena said. The three
key futuristic approaches are to have proper regulations, promote
business nationally and internationally and conducting trade fairs in
target markets. Except in the Northern areas, the entire country has gem
bearing lands, he said.
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The Facets 2012 website launched by Export Development
Board Chairman, Janaka Ratnayake, National
Gem and Jewellery Authority Chairman and CEO Prasad Galhena and
other officials. Pictures by Sumanachandra Ariyawansa |
“An aggressive marketing campaign focusing on quality products could
supplement the efforts to reach one billion dollar industry in the near
future. We need to take measures to introduce world renowned brands in
Sri Lanka and also to bring international brands to the country for
backward integration which help to carry out entire value chain within
the country,” Galhena said.
Facets 2012 will comprise of over 150 stalls where 154 booths are
already sold out with inquiries continuing to come in from countries
such as India, Russia and China to send buyer delegations.
This exhibition started off with just 40 booths in 1991, but today
the exhibition has become one of the biggest factors contributing to the
increase in export of gems and jewellery. Last year’s exhibition
recorded approximately 8,000 visitors where 25 percent were foreign
buyers. |
