By David Brough
BANGKOK – Thailand expects exports of gems and jewellery this year to be worth more than 8 billion US dollars, with annual growth projected at around 10 percent, a senior official said at the opening of the September 6-10 Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair.
Mr Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), the trade export wing of the Thai government, said in a keynote speech that gems and jewellery were Thailand’s ninth largest export sector.
“The Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair has been a globally trusted market place with an extensive range of products, with high quality of design and innovation,” he said.
The fair is co-organised by the DITP and the GIT, Thailand’s state-run lab group.
Mr Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, director general of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), addressing the inauguration.
Later, in a brief conversation with Jewellery Outlook, Mr Phusit said India had emerged as a priority market for Thai gem and jewellery exporters. India was the number 1 origin of overseas visitors to the Bangkok show on the first day of the fair, followed by China, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, he added.
The domestic Indian jewellery market is booming, amid projections for India to become the world’s largest jewellery market within a decade.
Total visitor numbers to this 68th edition of the Bangkok fair were expected to exceed 30,000, including importers and buyers, organisers said.
The Bangkok fair is a showcase for Thai exports notably of handcrafted gold jewellery, silver jewellery, coloured gemstones, machinery, and other products for the global industry.
Turnout was high, presaging strong orders, on the first day of the fair, staged in a newly renovated venue, the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, in central Bangkok.
The fair is a valuable networking opportunity in the international trade, kicking off the trade fair season after the summer break.
Jewellery Outlook Editor David Brough meeting with Mr Henry Ho, a prominent Thai gems and jewellery businessman.
