FACETS marks its 25th anniversary, 150 stalls at Sept. fair
Starting off with just 45 stalls at its inaugural event in 1991, Facets – the annual International Gem and Jewellery Show – this year has grown to 150 stalls with a sizable number of SMEs involved. The event will be held in September.
According to Nawrooz Azmi, Member, Facets Organizing Committee who spoke at the launch of the Facets Sri Lanka 2015, in Colombo this week, the turning point of the exhibition where even small entrepreneurs could come in and be exposed to the international market was when Macky Hashim, then Chairman, Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA), in 2005 moved the Facets Exhibition to the BMICH (from the Hilton Hotel) where a larger number of participants could be accommodated.
A.P. Jayarajah, Chairman, SLGJA said that their association is the biggest body that covers all segments of Sri Lanka gem and jewellery industry in developing the industry by formulating new strategies. There has been many success stories with the opportunity given to the SMEs and though it is not entirely with gems, Bandula Egodage, Chairman, Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), invited one such entrepreneur in the ornaments business to tell her story.
Ms Pubudu Kumari, Producer and Proprietor, Pubudu Handicraft & Jewellery, Dewalapola told the audience that she, for the first time, participated at the Facets 2013 and recently she participated at a Chinese Trade Fair in Gem and Jewellery where she has won a sales order for about US$1,000 to supply jewellery made out of medicinal seeds that are normally thrown away. She told the Business Times on the sidelines of the launch that the ornaments are made out of such medicinal seeds like Nagadaram, Madatiya, Gathpenela, Kirindi, Kembera and Olinda.These seeds, she said, are natural plant seeds that fall on the ground and not put to any use. She said that she first started working on these seeds as part of her university degree course.
Facets 2015 will be from 3 to 6 September and is celebrating its Silver Jubilee this year. A large number of international buyers – more than 100 – from countries like China, India, Dubai Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, USA, Russia, Norway and Germany are expected to attend and make purchases.
Juzar Adamaly, Chairman, Facets Sri Lanka said that this year individual exhibitor pavillions will be hosted by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and an SME pavilion from the EDB.
He said that there would be over 50 SMEs taking part which not only provides them an opportunity to showcase their capabilities to delegations and buyers from around the world, but also creates a strong networking, knowledge sharing and skill enhancing opportunities for SMEs.