Attending the Gem and Jewelry fair in Bangkok-6-10th Sept.2023 – By Dr harold Gunatillake
Is there an economic crisis in Sri Lanka today? What is the status of Sri Lanka in 2023, as far as the economy and well-being of the people are concerned?
Government data showed that Sri Lanka’s economy shrank 11.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2023 from the previous year, even as the cash-strapped island nation struggles to overcome the economic crisis.
Sri Lanka faces the worst economic crisis in the island nation’s history. With that depressing situation in mind, to cheer me up, I visited the Gem and Jewellery Fair in Bangkok held from the 6th to the 10th of September this year and compared personally what progress that country has made over the recent years, even after going through a worse period with the Covid endemic.
Of course, Thailand’s dramatic economic growth has caused numerous environmental issues. The country faces problems with air, declining wildlife populations, deforestation, soil erosion, water scarcity, and waste issues.
Leaving aside the comparisons of the two countries, it is unbelievable how this superb Gem and jewellery fair was organised. Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, director-general of the Department of International
Trade Promotion (DITP) of the Commerce Ministry, gave the glittering 68th Gems and Jewellery Fair in Thailand, its formal opening is on the 6th of September with exquisite pomp.
The show, which DITP is co-hosting and the Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand (GIT) from September 6 to 10, is being held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) with assistance from 15 public and private trade agencies. There were over 500 trade stalls from gem business traders participating at this fair from many countries, with the hope of selling their cut gems and jewellery firms taking part in this year’s fair, “It has always attracted exceptional enthusiasm from
exhibitors and visitors,”
I noticed and met many traders from Sri Lanka, purchasing bags and bags of gems and jewellery for local trade back home. The expo spans 2,400 booths in Halls 1 through 8 of the QSNCC. It drew more than 30,000 buyers, importers and tourists from around the world and is on track to bring in more than Bt3bn in revenue, according to the DITP director-general.
The Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair is among the top five largest trade fairs in the industry worldwide and one of Asia’s most renowned events.
The exhibition significantly boosted Thailand’s exports of gems and jewellery, which are essential to the country’s economy. Thailand’s prominence as a major regional centre for the trade of gems and jewellery, together with its proficiency in the polishing of coloured gemstones and craftsmanship, have all been significant factors in the success of the sector.
As one of the world’s steadiest suppliers of top-quality Ceylon Sapphires and seventy-five other types of gemstones, Sri Lanka is one of the most critical countries in the world regarding gems and jewellery, despite its small size.
Hailed as the mythical Tarshish, the legendary island of invaluable gemstones, Sri Lanka has been the source of many celebrated gemstones, pearls and luxury jewellery throughout history and has long been associated with the international gem and jewellery trade. Today, Sri Lanka is the ninth-largest exporter of precious stones to the global market and one of the world’s five most crucial gem-bearing nations.
Unfortunately, we cannot have fairs to attract traders from other countries to compete with the grand fairs they organise, and I hope, one day, we will have the economic strength to schedule one.
By the way, I must mention that I was most impressed with the service travelling economy class to Bangkok on Sri Lankan Airlines.
I must make special mention of the smiling service rendered by the stewards. The breakfast was wholesome; beer being my favourite beverage, I got two cans, the second one without asking.
I briefly chatted with them; their names are Mahikala, Ruchira, Niranjan, Trishane, Adeesha and Gihan. Good luck to them I hope you enjoyed this video as much as I enjoyed physically being present at the
fair.
Until we meet again, stay safe and Goodbye for now.
