Showcasing Sri Lanka’s jewellery to the world
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From left - Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau; Prasanna Ranatunga, Minister of Tourism; Lohan Ratwatte, State Minister of Gem and Jewellery-related Industries and Ahsan Refai,, Chairman of SLGJA
The Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) recently hosted their second Key Person’s Forum for the industry, with the objective of facilitating the industry during this pandemic period and boosting overall tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.
The forum was conducted with Tourism Minister Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga, State Minister of Gem and Jewellery related Industries Lohan Ratwatte, SLGJA Chairman Ahsan Refai and Chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism Kimarli Fernando.
The event, created a platform for a two-way discussion between the gem and jewellery industry and Ministry of Tourism and was attended by executive members of the SLGJA, the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) and many local gem and jewellery traders, the SLGJA said in a media release.
The collaboration between the gem and jewellery industry and the tourism sector will be capable of maximizing an influx of tourists to the country, especially attracting the up-market tourists. With the potential to be one of the largest foreign revenue earners, by generating around $500 million foreign exchange through the sale of gems and jewellery to foreign travelers, the gem and jewellery industry will be an immense support to uplift the tourism sector, it said.
In his opening remarks by SLGJA Chairman Refai spoke of Sri Lanka’s rich heritage of producing high quality gemstones is a unique opportunity to promote and market gemstones to the world. “A concentrated marketing campaign together with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority would greatly benefit the promotion of gem and jewellery trade. This will encourage more tourists to visit our island to experience our gem mines that are set against the backdrop of the beautiful paddy and mountain landscapes,” he said.
Tourism Minister Ranatunga acknowledged the need to marry the efforts of the two industries, saying “It is our responsibility to protect and expand the brand recognition we have for our gem and jewellery industry”.
Tourism Chairperson Fernando assured the promotion of the gem and jewellery industry through the SLTPB in all future campaigns. She positively emphasized the significant impact that can be achieved through this association. She also spoke of a tourism travel app, currently in the development stages with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. Accordingly, it was offered to add the names of all the gem and jewellery traders, who are licensed by the authority, on the app, that will help tourists locate the shops as ‘places to visit’.
State Minister Ratwatte assured the support of the Ministry in industrial growth and in promoting the industry in a larger scale through providing ease of support for business operations and creating a conducive environment for the sector to grow.
The possibility of holding Facets International Gem and Jewellery Show in January 2022 was also discussed. As the main event that draws a large number of foreign buyers, Facets is one of the campaigns that can truly leverage tourism to the country. The need for further promotion of Sri Lanka as a tourist destination with the inclusion of the Gem and Jewellery associations in the promotional campaigns, the increase in foreign exchange earnings and the overall quarantine process for tourists coming into the country were also highlighted.