BANGKOK, Sept 9 — Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce hopes that the 54th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair will restore foreign buyers’ confidence and help promote the country’s gem exports.
In cooperation with the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association, the ministry opened the fair today at the IMPACT Challenger exhibition centre in suburban Muang Thong Thani. The event will run through Saturday.
Chutima Bunyapraphasara, permanent secretary for commerce, said that Thai gem exports was estimated at Bt105 billion during the first half of this year and the value grew by 15.37 per cent.
She hopes that the fair will develop Thailand into an important center of gems and jewelry trade in Southeast Asia.
Thailand’s gem exports this year will increase by at least 5 per cent, she predicted.
mMs Chutima said that the ministry would help boost exports by finding new markets.
Somchai Pornchindarak, president of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association, said that the value of Thailand’s gem exports should exceed 400 billion baht this year and grow by 6-7 per cent.
He expected that more than 300,000 people will visit the fair and purchases should reach Bt40 billion.
