Facets 2008

Sri Lanka stages international gem show to entice buyers.

Sri Lanka's international gem and jewelry trade show 'Facets Sri Lanka', a key annual event that helps increase the island's gem exports, is to be held in September this year, its organizers said. A new feature at this year's show will be competitions to recognize the best gem cutter, best jewelry designer and the best booth.

 
The trade show helped increase industry exports to 471 million dollars in 2007, from 364 million in 2005, Sri Lanka Gem and Jewelry Association said in a statement.

 
The exhibition will be held during 6-9 September for the 18th consecutive year at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo.

 
"Facets Sri Lanka exhibition is the most important industry event which attracts numerous buyers and sellers from across the globe," Chanaka Ellawala, chairman Sri Lanka Gem and Jewelry Association says.

 
The exhibition is organized by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewelry Association and National Gem and Jewelry Authority.

 
Facets Sri Lanka will include 150 stalls displaying products from local and international as well as new entrants to the industry.

 
"We are making a conscious effort this year to give an opportunity for new entrants and small and medium scale businesses in the industry to get much needed exposure and experience at an international event of this caliber," Macky Hashim, chairman of organizing committee, said.

 
The exhibition will showcase more than 75 varieties of gems such as sapphire, ruby, cats-eye, amethyst, topaz, moonstone, tourmaline, garnet, alexandrite, padparadscha and zircon that are found in Sri Lanka.

 
"Trade alone cannot sustain itself unless we have complementary exhibitions of this nature," Hashim told reporters.