Ceylon Radio
Sri Lanka 2013, the international gem and jewellery exhibition organised by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) for the 23rd year was declared open by Chief Guest Hon. Dr. Sarath Amunugama – Minister of International Monetary Corporation and Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning and Guest of Honor Mr. Ruben Bindra from USA. The event will be held from 29th August to 1st September at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre with over 150 stall holders including individual exhibitor pavilions from Myanmar, The National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) and a SME pavilion from the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB). In addition, buyer delegations from USA, China, Russia, Thailand, Iran and India also took part this year. Stall holders from Singapore, Dubai, Myanmar and India participated at the event too.
Juzar Adamaly, Chairman FACETS Sri Lanka 2013 stated, “We are honoured to stage the latest edition of FACETS Sri Lanka for the 23rd consecutive year. With the industry looking at reaching US$ 1 Billion by the year 2015, this exhibition will continue to boost local sales and improve the brand of Sri Lankan Gem and Jewellery globally. I would also like to acknowledge the support given by the entire team involved with this year’s event”.
Organized by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA), FACETS Sri Lanka enables all Gem & Jewellery Traders to display market collections and also help create awareness about the importance of the Gem and Jewellery industry in Sri Lanka. Additionally, the event consists a seminar on “Gem and Jewellery in Sri Lanka” conducted by an expert panel of local and International panelists.
Chief Guest Hon. Dr. Sarath Amunugama – Minister of International Monetary Corporation and Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning said, “The Gem & Jewellery industry’s contribution to the economy in terms of foreign exchange earnings and employment generation is extremely valuable. Therefore, all efforts taken to promote this industry are indeed welcomed and I am happy to be associated with the Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association which is the main organizer of the show. The Government of Sri Lanka has made vast changes to improve and develop the Gem and Jewellery Industry under its Policy of Liberalization. In its recent Policy Initiative the Government has decided to treat the Gem and Jewellery sector as a thrust industry. As part of its policy to develop the gem and jewellery industry, the Government of Sri Lanka provides a comprehensive array of fiscal and financial incentives to companies investing in the gem and jewellery manufacturing industry”.
Established in 1984 as the Sri Lanka Gem Traders Association, and changed its name to Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association in 2002, the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) is the apex private sector organisation representing the interests of all industry sub-sectors from mining to manufacturing, wholesale and retail. SLGJA was amalgamated with three of the industry’s top trade associations: Sri Lanka Jewellery Manufacturing Exporters Association, Sri Lanka Lapidarists and Exporters Association and Sri Lanka Jewellers and Gem Merchants Federation.
