Bangkok, 13 November, 2019 – The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT), in collaboration with the Chanthaburi Provincial Administration, is hosting the first “International Chanthaburi Gems and Jewelry Festival 2019”, from 4 to 8 December at the Chanthaburi Gem and Jewelry Center, KP Jewelry Center, Gems Market at Srichan Road and the OTOP Lifestyle Shop.
GIT Director Mrs. Duangkamol Jiambutr stated that gems and jewelry are one of key export products of Thailand. The government has recognized the importance of this industry and has launched the policy to promote Thailand to become a global production and trading hub for gems and jewelry products. Thus, the Ministry of Commerce has assigned GIT to organize the project to develop and promote Chanthaburi as the City of Gems, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of local entrepreneurs and community enterprises in the gems and jewelry industry to become more competitive and equipped with the skills to tap into global markets as well as promote Thailand to become the global trading hub for gems and jewelry.
“GIT and partners have carried out roadshows domestically and internationally including in Shanghai, China, which is an important gems trading hub of the world and a key trading partner for Thailand’s gems and jewelry products. The objective of the roadshow is to create awareness of the festival and invite Thai and international exhibitors to attend the festival in December. We have received positive feedback from exhibitors with several companies from China, Vietnam and India already confirming their attendance,” Mrs. Duangkamol said.
The festival will feature over 500 exhibitors with a variety of products. Visitors can discover gems and jewelry as well as other relevant products including rough gemstones, cut gemstones, jewelry, jewelry parts, equipment & tools machinery and display & packaging.
Moreover, GIT will set up a mobile lab to provide gems and jewelry verification and certification services for jewelers, buyers and consumers to create confidence in buying gems and jewelry which have received the GIT certification issued by professional gemologists.
Moreover, the festival will feature interesting activities such as the award presentation ceremony for “GIT’s 13th World Design Awards 2019”, “Gems Faceting Master Challenge 2019” and “Gem and Jewelry Research Proposal Competition”, and seminars on gem and jewelry. Another festival highlight is the gem auction on 4 December at the Chanthaburi Gem and Jewelry Center, which will be the first time that polished gemstones will be auctioned in Chanthaburi. The gemstones to be auctioned are also listed in GIT’s Buy With Confidence program.
Four special exhibitions will also be held as follow;
- Jewelry Design Gallery displaying product prototypes under the GEMS TREASURE Project 2018-2019 and other works from 15 participating provinces.
- Smart Jewelers Exhibition showing products from selected artisans and entrepreneurs.
- Innovative Jewelry displaying innovative jewelry from GIT’s members.
- Innovative Lifestyle Jewelry displaying lifestyle jewelry and accessories for everyday use created by young designers and students of GIT’s Training Center.
Chanthaburi Governor Mr. Withurat Srinam said that the public and private sectors in Chanthaburi have been worked together to promote Chanthaburi as the City of Gems and as one of the world’s important trading and production centre for coloured gemstones. For the festival organisation, the provincial administration has prepared venues and other facilities to assist exhibitors and visitors such as providing a free shuttle bus service to facilitate visitors who will be travelling between different venues. Meanwhile, local tourism businesses including hotels, restaurants and tour operators are ready to welcome festival visitors.
Apart from its reputation in the coloured gemstones industry, Chanthaburi is also an important tourist destination in Thailand, with various tourist attractions from natural wonders to historical and cultural sites. Therefore, the provincial administration and the festival organizer will be offering tour packages at special prices for visitors in December to allow them to discover the routes of gems and jewelry production, visit natural tourist attractions and local communities, explore the lifestyle of local people, try delicious local food and buy local products. For this activity, local guides will be available to assist visitors at every key tourist attraction.
For more information on the International Chanthaburi Gems and Jewelry Festival 2019, visit www.changemsfest.com
Media contact: Miss Pairam Wittayakom, PR Officer, GIT, Tel.: +66 (0) 2-634-4999, E-mail: [email protected]