(PRESS RELEASE) BANGKOK – Ministry of Commerce’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), launches the 62nd edition of the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair (BGJF) under the theme of “Heritage & Craftsmanship” which highlights Thailand’s cultural heritage and the exquisite craftsmanship of Thai artisans that are internationally renowned. DITP is promoting over 150 new brands and SMEs from 18 provinces in The New Faces zone to explore new markets at the 62nd BGJF which is expected to welcome over 20,000 buyers and visitors from more than 130 countries across the globe and boost the country’s gems and jewelry exports.
Mr. Sontirat Sontijirawong, Minister of Commerce of Thailand, reveals that the gems and jewelry industry in Thailand is vital to the development of the country’s economy from tourism, employment, value-adding of products and services, to promoting creative economy. Thus, the government has issued measures to propel Thailand to become the World’s Jewelry Trading Hub as Ministry of Commerce has set strategies and action plans to ensure the success of this mission.
“The 62nd Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair is an important marketing tool to promote the industry’s capabilities and support Thai manufacturers including SMEs to expand their businesses abroad while networking and trading with partners from Thailand and other countries. Here, new brands and designers have an opportunity to showcase their unique creations to target buyers from around the world, while the number of exhibitors joining the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair as well as those expressing interest to participate in the fair has been rising every year. This year, BGJF is held under the theme of “Heritage & Craftsmanship” which highlights Thailand’s cultural heritage that perfectly combines beautiful Thai designs with international touches and shines a spotlight on Thailand’s position as a trendsetter in the world’s gems and jewelry industry,” says Mr. Sontirat.
The 62nd Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair is also hosting an extravagant fashion show under the theme “Queen of Jewelry” to honor the royal projects of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit who dedicated her life to promoting arts and culture as well as helping her subjects generate income. This fashion show highlights jewelry from Thai manufacturers which are considered the most exquisite collections in high fashion, from gold jewelry made by artisans who carried on ancient ways of jewelry-making, contemporary gold and silver jewelry and jewelry featuring valuable gemstones with intricate designs.
At the fair, buyers and visitors will experience inspirational activities and exhibitions as well as new trading opportunities, from The Niche Showcase that exhibits five niche jewelry trends, The New Faces that highlights 150 Thai SMEs from all regions, exhibitions and workshops from The Jewellers, a group of designers who focus on creative and innovation jewelry-making in the project to promote Thai designers to export to world markets, the Creative Jewelry showcase that exhibits jewelry from 40 brands that were selected to join product development workshops with experts to create jewelry with unique stories and materials, Innovation and Design Zone featuring an installation using the interactive projection technique entitled Closer where visitors will get a 360 degrees view of their own jewelry.
Special to this year’s BGJF, experienced artisans from the Thai Goldsmith Association are demonstrating their skills in crafting jewelry that is rare to find elsewhere, such as jewelry molding, invisible setting, jewelry carvings, and stone polishing. Moreover, educational seminars and one-on-one consulting services from experts are offered as well as a mobile gems analyzing unit from GIT and other world-leading institutes.
“In 2017, the gems and jewelry industry was ranked third exporting industry in Thailand after automotive and computers and parts. During the first seven months of 2018 (January to July 2018), exports of gems and jewelry (excluding unwrought gold) increased by 6.93% compared to the same period in 2017. DITP is confident that the gems and jewelry industry will see robust growth in the continuing period,” says Mr. Sontirat.
Moreover, Ministry of Commerce has initiated a brand new global campaign to present a new image for Thailand’s gems and jewelry industry which is “Thailand’s Magic Hands: The Spirit of Jewelry Making” which demonstrates the comparative advantages of Thailand, from being the place where craftspeople with high-level expertise of jewelry-making gather, to being a fertile ground for talented designers and emerging Thai jewelry brands.
The 62nd Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair takes place from September 7 to 11, 2018 at Challenger Hall 1-3, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani. The fair opens for trade negotiations during September 7 to 9 at 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and opens for the general public on September 10 at 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and September 11 at 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information and pre-registration, please visit www.bkkgems.com or dial DITP Call Center 1169.
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