The Ministry of Commerce is overtaken by delight after the 58th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair generated trade worth more than a massive 16 billion baht – well beyond the 15-billion-baht target.

Business operators, exhibitors and participants showered compliments on the fair as one that was well organized, with clear zoning of booth displays and capturing public interest with a number ofinnovations, including showcasing the Chanthaburi zone.

Commerce Minister Mrs Apiradi Tantraporn said the 58th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair was a roaring success, both in visitor turnout and the value of trade deals. Major business operators that negotiated deals were the main target groups from Europe, China, Hong Kong, the United States, ASEAN and the Middle East. “The results were beyond expectations,” she remarked.

“This year, 791 companies participated in the fair, occupying a total of 2,107 booths. Of these, 640 were Thai exhibitors operating 1,929 booths while 151 were exhibitors from foreign countries running 178 booths. The number of visitors was gratifying and the trade value generated after negotiations throughout the Fair’s five days was worth more than 16 billion baht,’’ Mrs Apiradi said.

The Commerce Minister said a survey conducted on exhibitors and businessmen who attended the fair showed they had tremendous satisfaction with the whole event. They felt the fair was well organized and zoned clearly and orderly, which made it easier to access and find products; besides, it wasn’t as overly crowded as other gems and jewelry exhibitions. The fair also featured various highlights, especially six showcases aimed at six niche groups, making Thailand the first country to present such trendy platforms in any international gems or jewelry exhibition, which received an overwhelming response from the participants. The fair also shone a spotlight on the “Chanthaburi Pavilion”, a zone that brought together gems operators from Chanthaburi, which is long known as a source of high quality raw material.

“We received compliments from both exhibitors and visitors, all of whom said that the fair was well organized, which gave us working people a fillip,” the minister said. “We will also take all their recommendations to further improve the next event so that the Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair keeps advancing, and in turn we aim to achieve our ultimate goal of becoming one of the top three gems and jewelry fairs in the world by 2018. Starting now, we are going ahead with preparations for the 59th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair, which will be held in February next year.’’

The 59th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair is scheduled to take place from February 22-26, 2017. Reservations are already open for exhibition booths. Those interested in obtaining more details can please visit the website: www.bkkgems.com