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  • At the 60th BGJF
  • Sirivannavari brand’s exhibition section
  • Fashion show at the opening ceremony
  • Jewellery from Nara Joaillerie
  • Jewellery from Nara Joaillerie
  • At the ‘Niche Showcase’ section

60th BGJF generates US$60m revenue

The 60th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair (BGJF) closed its curtain on 10 September 2017 at Impact Exhibition Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, having attracted an 18-percent rise in the number of overseas visitors in the Country Pavilion zone and generated nearly US$60 million of trade revenue, said the organiser Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, Thailand.

Aimed at driving Thailand towards the position of the world’s gems and jewellery hub, the five-day fair brought together over 900 exhibitors worldwide covering 2,200 booths to present their latest gems and jewellery products and related services. Apart from 659 Thai exhibitors in 1.897 booths, there were foreign exhibitors mainly from the United States, mainland China, Japan, Hong Kong, India, Sri Lanka, Iran, Israel, Turkey, Poland, Taiwan and the ASEAN region.

Malee Choklumlerd, director general of DITP said that the fair attracted some 16,000 visitors and the generated trade revenue was 28.94 percent higher than the previous edition. A total of US$9,664,354 worth of immediate purchase order was recorded, a 205.77-percent sizeable growth compared to the last edition.

Show highlights

To celebrate the 60th edition of the fair, Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana presided over the opening ceremony on 6 September, and then chaired the ribbon-cutting ceremony of her Sirivannavari brand’s jewellery exhibition which illustrates the artistic talent of the princess as a designer.

Two other highlights were the ‘Niche Showcase’ exhibition featuring innovative designs of gems and jewellery from five emerging markets in the globe, and the ‘New Faces’ section displaying intricate jewellery crafted by the SMEs from reputed gems districts across Thailand. Five categories of exhibits were included in these two sections, namely ‘The Moment’ for special occasions; ‘Metro Men’ for metrosexual stylish men; ‘Heritage & Craftsmanship’ for art and craft connoisseurs inspired by elaborate original techniques, historical and cultural values; ‘Spiritual Power’ for spirituality, supernatural beliefs; and ‘Beyond Jewelry’ for lifestyle products and home décor items decorated with gemstones and jewellery.

Apiradi Tantraporn, Minister of Commerce, Thailand commented: “For 34 years, BGJF has been playing a pivotal role in establishing Thailand as a reputed destination for producers and exporters wishing to expand their businesses and build networks with international traders. It has also provided an important stage for local SMEs and rising designers to showcase their creativity and outstanding creations to the global audience.”

Exhibitor feedback

Bangkok-based Dhanu offers jewellery combining classic and simple designs with Thai traditional art and using different types of materials. With main markets in Europe, the United States and ASEAN countries, the company has been exhibiting with BGJF for five years. “The fair is quiet while we still have regular customers mainly from Italy, Netherlands and Australia to source our products,” stated a company representative. According to her, although the company did not expect much from the show, they met new customers, secured long-term orders and improved company visibility. As the Thai jewellery market is growing, Dhanu plans to gain a firm foothold in local market in future leveraging their presence in five department stores across the country.

While some exhibitors expressed that the adjacent time of the 60th BGJF and the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair resulted in a declined number of visitors at BGJF, Chomyut Bhogasab, sales director of Blue Gems Co, Ltd did not think so. He told Hong Kong Jewellery that stone bidders only come to BGJF to source high-quality gemstones, whereas Hong Kong show buyers are mainly foreign traders and jewellers. “Even though BGJF has slowed down in recent years, our business is still there,” he added. Specialised in manufacturing and trading rubies and sapphires over one carat in all shapes and quality, Blue Gems’ network has been built throughout the United States, Hong Kong, mainland China, India and Southeast Asia.

As a subsidiary brand of V & P Jewellery, one of the leading jewellery manufacturers in Thailand with over 40 years of history, Nara Joaillerie was launched in 2010 only focusing on the local market for now. During the show, the brand launched its new corundum collection in trendy and modern style and received positive feedback from their clients. “Right now the Middle East market is soft while the US and European markets are getting better, so as the markets of Southeast Asia and ASEAN countries. We are trying to expand within Asia,” revealed Ploy Naratusachan, general manager of V & P Jewellery.

She mentioned that the Thai government and the organiser have been trying to improve BGJF by searching for the selling point to better promote the fair. “The show is not that booming like before when customers had to visit BGJF to finish some orders first and then went to Hong Kong show. But now, there is less business for everyone. We must  identify our strength,” she said. 

The 61st BGJF will take place at the same venue during 21-25 February 2018. Click here for more information.

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