More than 700 exhibitors are registered for the September 7-11, 2022, Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair, with around 10,000 visitors likely to attend the event, a showcase for Thai craftsmanship, which is gathering in-person for the first time as a full-scale edition since before the pandemic, Mr. Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, Director-General of Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), organiser of the show, told David Brough, Editor of Jewellery Outlook.
Mr. Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, Director-General of Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP).
Why is the September 2022 edition of the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair a “must-attend” international trade event?
The 67th edition of the Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair (BGJF) is a must-attend international trade event because it is one of the world’s most renowned and longest-celebrated gems and jewelry trade fairs.
Organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) two times a year in Bangkok, the fair gathers all kinds of gems and jewelry products under one roof, from gemstones, jewelry, packaging to equipment, tools and machinery from Thai and international brands from all over the world.
The September 2022 event, which is the 67th edition, is significantly special because it is the first full-scale edition after a long pause for over two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As gems and jewellery products are something quite sentimental, it would be better for buyers to experience them by themselves, and BGJF literally has everything that gems and jewellery entrepreneurs look for, from gemstones, gold and silver jewellery to machinery and equipment.
It is truly the one-stop destination for the gems and jewellery industry. Moreover, international buyers and visitors will be welcomed by unique Thai hospitality hardly found anywhere else.
As Thailand is one of the world’s top tourist destinations, attending this trade fair in Thailand can be highly enjoyable for both business and pleasure.
What will be the most outstanding features of the next edition of the show?
The highlights of the 67th edition will include the Networking Reception offering a special platform for key figures in the gems and jewelry industry to extend their business networks in a cozy, yet glamorous atmosphere. For international buyers, the Networking Reception is the first step towards meeting other professionals. The event, which will also be joined by DITP and GIT representatives, trade missions, ambassadors and VIPs from Thailand, will feature a special jewelry fashion show with selected jewellery pieces from Thai exhibitors.
Another highlight is a series of exhibitions available to view at the fair, starting with the “New Faces” exhibition which provides a variety of jewelry creations to serve various lifestyles. The project focuses on highlighting the talent of Thai artisans, the creativity of young designers, and the exciting new collections from up-and-coming jewelers across Thailand.
The Jewellers exhibition features 20 top Thai designers who have participated in the Designers’ Room and Talent Thai projects. Here, the designers will showcase their uniquely-designed and innovative jewelry pieces aimed at the global market. They have introduced an exciting element to BGJF while demonstrating the potential of Thai designers in using unique materials and designs. All the jewelry designs from young designers are created for a unique everyday look.
The Wonder of Jewels exhibition comprises 5 zones: the Trend Showcase of jewelry designs for consumers of the “New Normal”, the Exhibitor Showcase, the Demonstration of jewelry production by craftsmen, the Workshop, and the Highlights, in order to provide platform for Thai entrepreneurs to present their skills and talent, as well as to exhibit their product designs at the international level.
Moreover, the Business Matching and Personal Assistant activities will be provided through the Thaitrade.com platform, in order to facilitate trade for buyers/importers, while a series of seminars relating to markets, products, design, e-commerce and social media tools will be available for fair visitors. For this edition, the theme is centered around how to increase the competitiveness of entrepreneurs and how to adapt their business practices to the current global business context.
What progress have you made so far in terms of booking up exhibitors? What types of exhibitors are you looking to attract to the show?
So far, we have received positive feedback from the global industry, with more than 700 registered exhibitors from Thailand and countries like Japan, India, Turkey, and many more.
At BGJF, we welcome all exhibitors in the industry who want to expand their business opportunities, especially the gemstone exhibitors which is the largest group of all types.
As Thailand is the region’s trading hub for gems and jewellery, the fair will be joined by CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam) as well, with 10 booths dedicated to each country of the group. But if you look at the bigger picture, our International zones will feature leading companies from every corner of the world. In the 65th edition, we had around 100 companies showcasing their products in 86 booths.
What are your expectations for the trends in visitor numbers to the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair in September? What types of visitors, in terms of their professional activity, and from which parts of the world, will attend?
Since there are still travel restrictions in some regions, especially from Mainland China, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is expected that this edition will welcome around 10,000 visitors, which is a slight decrease from the previous edition.
The types of visitors vary, from potential trade buyers and importers invited by Thai Trade offices in each country, independent buyers and brands who are looking for business opportunities in Thailand to general visitors from all over the world who are interested in the gems and jewellery business. All of our activities are designed to cater to every need of every type of visitors who will attend the fair.
How do you see the outlook for Thai silver and gemstone-set jewellery exports, against a backdrop of pandemic, inflation, and the war in Ukraine? What are the main and fastest-growing export markets for Thai-manufactured gemstones and jewellery?
Amidst mounting global challenges, the outlook for Thailand’s gems and jewellery exports remains positive. The COVID-19 outbreak has eased in many countries, and the businesses and the logistic systems are now getting back to normal, or at least to the new normal. With the global economic recovery, especially in our trading partner countries, people will likely spend more, and Thailand has seen a gradual export growth in the gems and jewellery sector, especially in countries like the United States, India, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom.
From January to May 2022, the export value of Thailand’s gems and jewellery products (excluding gold) reached 3,321.92 million USD, a 48.30% increase from the previous year. Thai silver and gemstone-set jewellery products are doing very well, as the export value of authentic jewellery (silver jewellery, gold jewellery and jewellery made of other precious metals) ranks second behind gemstones in the first half of this year.
Regarding the effects, many see gems and jewellery as products of high liquidity, so they work as inflation hedges. The Russia-Ukraine war has some impact on the Thai gems and jewellery industry as the costs of raw materials are higher, but many brands have embraced digital transformation, so they are doing well on online platforms.
It is estimated that the industry will grow by 20% in 2022, while the best-sellers are silver and gold jewellery, diamonds and gemstones.
This will be the first in-person edition of the show since before the pandemic. Do you see the event as an important networking opportunity for the international trade?
Definitely. It is known that gems and jewellery are something with price tags. For buyers, it would be better to come and see the products in person. This fair also enable them to meet and reconnect with other entrepreneurs and business counterparts in the industry who are both from Thailand and from every corner of the world, so trade opportunities and possibilities are limitless in this fair.
