58th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair set Sept 7-11

BANGKOK, August 24 (TNA) - A total sale of at least 15 billion baht is expected from the upcoming Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair, the 58th of its kind, set to be held at the IMPACT Trade and Exhibition Centre in Muang Thong Thani on the outskirts of Bangkok during September 7-11. Malee Chokelamlert, Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion, under the Thai Ministry of Commerce, made the assessment on Wednesday, saying that preparations for the five-day fair have been already 100 per cent completed. Malee also foresaw that the upcoming fair should attract at least 30,000 international visitors. According to the senior official, the gems and jewelry industry is a most important sector in the Thai economy, earning the Kingdom from their exports up to 7.19 billion US dollars last year or about 259 billion baht, and ranked the third among overall Thai export products. Besides, Thailand was ranked the world's 12th place among top gems and jewelry exporters last year. The senior official projected that exports of Thai gems and jewelry should further grow by 10 per cent year-on-year this year, worth about 7.9 billion US dollars or about 284 billion baht, with major markets including Hong Kong, the United States, Germany, Belgium, United Arab Emirates, India and Switzerland. The senior official revealed that highlights of the upcoming fair include six special zones to showcase products for specific types of customers, namely the 60+ Exhibition, Pet Parade, The Moments, Art and Craft, Gemstlemen and Auspicious Zones. (TNA)