Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair will showcase Thai craftsmanship
January 2019 – The next edition of the Bangkok fair, which will run from February 20 to 24, will celebrate Thai skills in jewellery making, says Ms. Banjongjitt Angsusingh, Director General of Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP.)
What will be the special features of the February 2019 Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair?
Banjongjitt Angsusingh: Following the success of the 2018 theme “Heritage and Craftsmanship,” the 63rd edition of the Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair continues to celebrate Thailand’s long recognized skills of artisanship with the brand new global marketing campaign “Thailand’s Magic Hands: the Spirit of Jewelry Making.”
Thailand’s Magic Hands is a campaign initiated by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), together with the gems and jewelry private sector, to boost the image of the Thai gems and jewelry industry.
The campaign will run concurrently with the trade show, Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair, throughout the years.
The objective is to promote Thailand’s gems and jewelry sector, highlighting the talented artisanship of the creators, whose skills are rooted in the country’s history of arts and crafts, passed down from generation to generation.
To showcase the Thai spirit of jewelry making, the 63rd Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair will shine a spotlight on jewelry pieces and decorative items skillfully crafted by local masters.
On the BGJF’s signature “Niche Showcase”, visitors will witness the perfect blend of intricate jewelry making mastery with modern designs and materials.
The special showcase is also a means to inspire local exhibitors to create more varieties of products to cater to customized needs.
The Fashion show extravaganza is set to impress visitors.
Highlights from the previous shows including ‘the Jewellers’ and ‘Innovation and Design Zone’ will return to welcome frequent visitors at BGJF.
What variety of goods will international buyers be able to see?
Banjongjitt Angsusingh: Every edition, the Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair brings to the audience a comprehensive range of products from gemstones to finished jewelry pieces and machinery and parts.
Unquestionably, gemstones are one key category predominating the BGJF. International buyers can find all types of precious stones, semi-precious stones, rough stones, pearls, diamonds and even lab-grown diamonds.
They are showcased by local exhibitors as well as international exhibitors from key sourcing countries such as Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Israel, Hong Kong, etc.
Besides gemstones, buyers can come and find new partners and manufacturing companies which can create fine gold and silver jewelry as well as costume and fashion pieces.
Last but not least, BGJF presents to visitors other key categories i.e., display & packaging, jewelry parts, equipment and tools, and machinery.
Besides product groups per category, taking center stage to introduce their innovative and eye-capturing pieces at the Jewellers and ‘Innovation and Design Showcase’ and ‘Design Bazaar’ zones, are Thai designers from Talent Thai and Designers’ Room projects and talented start-ups.
Their selection includes unique gems and jewelry pieces recognized by their production techniques and special materials, for example jewelry made from recycled and eco-friendly materials, and wearable technology jewelry.
Last but not least, The New Faces zone will return with a total of over 140 SME exhibitors with intricate craftsmanship from across the country.
What will be the highlights of the seminar programme?
Banjongjitt Angsusingh: During the Fair, the DITP has outlined a series of insightful seminars whose purpose is to improve the quality of exhibitors and product offering such as market trends, sales and marketing.
On the technical side, renowned gem and jewelry institutions, namely GIT, GIA and others, will give insightful talks for both exhibitors and visitors on related topics such as gemology, gem standards and hallmarking.
DITP, through its Thai Trade Centers, will also invite distinguished speakers from various countries, for example, Japan, U.S.A., China, and Germany, to provide insight into gem and jewelry market trends.
To strengthen Thai manufacturers and exporters, DITP has implemented a series of workshops throughout the year with a focus on jewelry product design development so that Thai entrepreneurs become well-equipped with skills to enhance their product design and quality to better cater to international demands. Visitors can witness the outcome of the projects at the Jewellers and the Innovation and Design Zone (IDZ).
Why is the Bangkok show a ‘must-attend’ event for international trade buyers?
Banjongjitt Angsusingh: First and foremost, Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair’s highly anticipated fashion show at the opening ceremony always leaves a lasting impression on guests.
Each year, the Fashion show highlights the theme of the BGJF, whether it is specifically customized jewelry pieces from the Niche Showcase or intricate jewelry sets portraying Thailand’s heritage and craftsmanship. It is a not-to-be missed event.
In the Challenger Halls, buyers should take the opportunity to explore the gems and jewelry of the mixed worlds — refreshing designed jewelry from young talents at various showcases and gold & silver nielloware utilizing ancient techniques and graceful patterns.
Local senior craft masters will be demonstrating their magic hands at the Niche Showcase where Thailand’s heritage and modern design blend perfectly. The Niche Showcase and the craft masters’ demonstration are “must-attend” events.
What are the latest statistics for Thai gem and jewelry exports, what is the trend in exports in value terms, and what are the main geographical markets for Thai gem and jewelry exports?
Banjongjitt Angsusingh: The gems and jewelry industry has been a vital revenue generator contributing to the growth of Thailand’s economy.
So far, in 2018, it ranks 3rd in overall export with a value of USD$10.2 billion.
Exports of gems and jewelry products have made Thailand the world’s 13th largest gems and jewelry exporting country.
Excluded unwrought gold, the Thai gems and jewelry industry has performed fairly well, witnessing a solid 8% increase compared to the same period in 2017.
Nearly all gems and jewelry product categories have grown steadily, including diamonds, gemstones, pearls, gold jewelry, silver jewelry as well as imitation jewelry.
Thailand’s key markets remain Hong Kong, USA, Germany, India, Belgium, China, and the UAE. However, in 2018, gem and jewelry exports increased significantly in Liechtenstein, Singapore, Italy, Qatar and Russia. This proved that the Thai gems and jewelry industry has diverse quality products that can cater to customers throughout the world.
What are the latest trade incentives brought in by the Thai government to boost Thai gems and jewelry manufacturing and exports?
Banjongjitt Angsusingh: To promote Thailand as the world’s gems and jewelry manufacturing and trading hub, the government issued several measures to support the industry.
First and foremost, since 2017, all import duty for gems and jewelry products in Thailand has been exempted allowing the free flow of raw materials and jewelry products
Concerning value added tax (VAT), BGJF exhibitors are not bound to pay VAT for jewelry products until the goods are sold at the Fair.
Other steps to support the industry include tax measures to increase a competitive edge, low-interest loans for SME manufacturers to improve their machinery and increase the efficiency of jewelry production, and a Buy with Confidence Program to raise confidence in Thai gems and jewelry products among tourists.
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