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.

‘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.

“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.