2|2018 Bangkok Gems&Jewelry Fair
Over 850 exhibitors participated in the 61st edition of the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair - held in February most of whom came from Thailand. In total, the latest edition totaled a retail value approximately worth $ 63 million, a 2.5% increase over the previous year. A recovery that opens up new scenarios in the international trade fair sector and that puts Bangkok at the centre of Asia as a privileged gold trading hub. And while the DITP - Department of International trade promotion - is already working on the next edition from September 7th to 11th - new scenarios are being outlined, also in relation to current relations between Thailand and Italy. Chantira J Vivatrat, Head of DITP - Department for the Promotion of International Export of the Ministry of Foreign Trade in Thailand, is here to thoroughly clarify them. The Bangkok trade fair has always been a point of reference especially for precious stones and very
specific products. What strategies does the Department propose to encourage event visibility in the international scenario? The Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair has always been a point of reference in the promotion of a particular type of product that includes both raw materials and services, such as gem certification. The Department for the promotion of International Export of the Ministry of Foreign Trade in Thailand has thus decided to divide the fair into zones. Those introduced in the latest edition include “The Niche Showcase”, which brings together 5 product categories: craft tradition, jewelry related to spirituality, men’s jewelry, jewelry for special occasions and lifestyle objects made with metals and precious stones. Moreover: “The New Faces” area, dedicated to emerging SMEs that had never exhibited in Bangkok, which at its debut put together 120 exhibitors. Lastly, “The Jewelers” showcase and the “Innovation and Design” area.
rilievo da tutto il mondo, garantendo loro ampia ospitalità, e fornendo Business Matching Zone dedicate all’interno della rassegna. Come vengono programmati gli investimenti e verso cosa sono orientati? In Thailandia l’agenzia responsabile per la promozione degli investimenti è il Board of Investment che offre incentivi per società locali o straniere che cercano di investire in industrie primarie per il paese. Tra questi figurano l’esenzione o la riduzione della tassa
sull’import di macchinari e materie grezze, le deduzioni per i costi di logistica, acqua ed elettricità e gli incentivi per specializzarsi in Thailandia. Nel settore privato, abbiamo Gemopolis, che è un’agenzia che promuove specificamente gli investimenti nell’industria, offrendo una Free Zone in Bangkok nelle vicinanze dell’aeroporto dove concludere affari godendo di una serie di facilitazioni. Quali sono le tipicità di prodotto su cui la Thailandia può contare? La Thailandia è un esportatore primario di
preziosa
What are the economic trends for Thai jewelry? In 2017, gem and jewel exports (excluding raw gold) reached 7 billion US dollars, up 2.25% compared to 2016 and the first time the industry experience growth in the last three years with a forecast of continuous growth between 1 and 3%: again in 2017, Thailand ranked 14th amongst gem and jewel export countries. How has the Thai government’s position changed regarding the fair? The Government has constantly promoted the gem and jewel industry. Many support measures have been put in place, such as tax incentives and special business conditions. Like initiatives related to export, the Minister of Commerce, through the DITP, promoted the fair by focusing on product development, introducing different areas to attract new exhibitors from Thailand and other countries, especially from Turkey, Israel, USA and Italy. What else is planned to increase the event attractiveness? The DITP is promoting the fair through 58 Thai Trade Centers in 43 foreign countries as well as working with the world’s leading trade fair organizers, such as HKTDC and UBM. Furthermore, the Department has invited key figures from around the world, guaranteeing ample hospitality and providing dedicated Business Matching Zones within the event. How are investments planned and what do they focus on? In Thailand, the agency in charge of promoting investments is the Board of Investment which offers incentives for local or foreign companies seeking to invest in leading industries for the country. These include reduced or exempt import tax on raw materials and machinery, deductions for logistics, water and electricity costs and incentives to
specialize in Thailand. In the private sector, we have Gemopolis, which is an agency that specifically promotes investments in this industry, offering a Free Zone in Bangkok near the airport where you can do business enjoying a series of facilities. What products are typical of Thailand? Thailand is a leading exporter of jewelry made with silver and gemstones, but the DITP is backing craft products, design and innovations that are able to express the country’s gold heritage. How important is the Italian market for Thai producers? Italy is one of the world’s leading producers and an important market for Thai gems and jewels since it is the sixth market in the European Union and 14th in the world. The most popular Thai products in Italy are, in order of financial value, gold jewelry, gems (of which 80% are gemstones), precious metals and, lastly, silver jewelry and diamonds which, however, in 2017, regained ground among Italian consumers with a 10 and 57% increase in sales respectively. In the same year, Thai exports to Italy experienced a sharp increase compared to that of other European countries, with a 12% growth rate. Are Italian products potentially “salable” in Thailand? Gems and jewels from Italy are widely accepted among Thai consumers, who recognize the high quality and modern designs of these products. In 2017 Thailand imported over 58 million US dollars in gems and jewels from Italy with a 32% increase over the previous year. Above all, the extraordinary growth is due to the duty exemption on jewelry imports set by the Thai government. The key products are gold and silver jewelry. At the same time, machinery and equipment, particularly requested by local companies, have good potential in our market.
gioielleria in argento e pietre colorate, ma il DITP sta spingendo molto sui prodotti artigianali, sul design e sulle innovazioni che riescano a esprimere l’eredità orafa del paese. Quanto è importante il mercato italiano per i produttori Thailandesi? L’Italia è uno dei principali produttori mondiali e un importante mercato di sbocco per le gemme e i gioielli thailandesi, in quanto sesto mercato nell’Unione Europea e 14esimo nel mondo. I prodotti thailandesi più popolari in Italia sono, in ordine di consistenza, la gioielleria in oro, le gemme (di cui un 80% rappresentato dalle pietre colorate), i metalli preziosi e, in coda, la gioielleria in argento e i diamanti che però, nel 2017, hanno riguadagnato terreno tra i consumatori italiani con vendite aumentate rispettivamente del 10 e del 57%. Nello stesso anno, l’export thailandese in Italia ha
vissuto un forte aumento comparato a quello degli altri paesi europei, con un tasso di crescita del 12%. I prodotti italiani sono potenzialmente “vendibili” in Thailandia? Gemme e gioielli provenienti dall’Italia sono ampiamente accettati tra i consumatori thailandesi, che riconoscono a questi prodotti un’alta qualità e design moderni. Nel 2017 la Thailandia ha importato gemme e gioielli dall’Italia per oltre 58 milioni di dollari americani, un incremento del 32% rispetto all’anno precedente. La straordinaria crescita è dovuta soprattutto all’esenzione dei dazi sull’import di gioielli voluta dal governo thailandese. I prodotti chiave sono gioielli in oro e in argento. Allo stesso tempo, hanno buone potenzialità nel nostro mercato anche i macchinari e le strumentazioni, particolarmente richiesti dalle imprese locali.
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