06-08-2020
An online meeting of jewellery and gemstone industry representatives from Hong Kong and Thailand held last Thursday probed into the future opportunities and challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, and how digital tools can facilitate Hong Kong-Thai trade.
Sponsored by Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), the discussion was attended by Chanunpat Pisanapipong, executive director of the Thai Trade Centre in Hong Kong, Phuket Khunaprapakom, managing director of Gemburi Co Ltd, Henry Ho, president of the Bangkok Diamonds and Precious Stones Exchange (BDPSE), Kevin Ng, member of the Jewellery Advisory Committee of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Kenny Au, deputy chairman of the International Jewellery Designer Association (IJDA), Hong Kong.
Pisanapipong said Thailand lies in the heart of Asean with a blend of skillsets, tax benefits and reputable hospitality which create a perfect setting for the jewellery and gem businesses who want to develop in the country. Gemburi’s Khunaprapakom mentioned that Thailand is renowned for jewellery and gem manufacturing and design, with rich material resources which attract Hong Kong and mainland China practitioners to set up factories there.
Ng from Hong Kong said the state-of-the-art operations, supreme craftsmanship skills and favourable trading environment in Thailand can attract Hong Kong manufacturers to relocate to the country. He added that the rocketing gold price would boost Thai silver jewellery exports. Also from Hong Kong, Au believed that the increased opportunities for Thai silver jewellery will encourage innovative and creative combinations of the precious metal with gemstones and unusual materials in design.
Organised by DITP, the 66th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair (BGJF), originally planned for September 2020, has been rescheduled for 23-27 February 2021. Capitalising on the digital trends, a special virtual exhibition will be launched on 2-4 November 2020. (Photo courtesy: DITP)
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