FACETS Sri Lanka Premier Edition 2023 will make this comeback from the 7th to 9th January at Cinnamon Grand with a grander promise of sparkle and glamour, from this island home of the Ceylon Sapphire.
At the media launch attended by the Chairman of the National Gem & Jewellery Authority (NGJA) Viraj De Silva, Chairman of the Export Development Board Suresh de Mel, FACETS Sri Lanka Chairman Altaf Iqbal and President Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) Ajward Deen among other heads of institutions, it was reiterated that the unique Ceylon Sapphire must hold pride of place in this exhibition and that given the popularity of Sri Lankan gems the world over, FACETS Sri Lanka etches a pathway to adding fillip to Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves.
FACETS Sri Lanka has a vision to take Sri Lankan gems into newer brighter spaces enabling foreign exchange revenue to be earned for the country, positioning itself to achieve USD 1 billion in exports in 2023.
“The Ceylon Sapphire’s unique beauty and value has been renowned for over 2500 years and it has firmly placed itself among the world’s most important gemstones,” said Iqbal who is also a Director of the International Coloured Gemstones Association.
While detailing the uniqueness of Sri Lankan gemstones, he also added that FACETS Sri Lanka will concentrate on creating an international design trends where all artisanal crafted jewellery will place a coloured gemstone as its centerpiece.
“If you look at some of the most valuable masterpieces among royalty around the world for instance, it is a Sri Lankan gem that holds the centerpiece.
We have to bring that trend back, bigger and better of course.”
President of SLGJA Deen noted that FACETS Sri Lanka is a unique exhibition that has always epitomized the quintessence of the industry.
“Undeniably, this Premier Edition takes Sri Lanka’s gems and jewellery beyond the stone and into the global space of placing Sri Lanka among the world’s best.
We are showcasing the treasure trove of gems this little island, known as Ratnadweepa – or land of gems as it was called from ancient trading times.
This is just the beginning of ensuring that Sri Lankan gems will be the preferred choice for any jewellery, anywhere in the world.”
Chairman of NGJA De Silva observed that the Sri Lankan gem and jewellery industry has continued to be active internationally throughout, showing at exhibitions in Europe and the Middle East.
“The response we have received has been spectacular and the endorsements very encouraging.
We need to maintain this momentum and build on it because the world knows about the value, beauty and uniqueness of our gems and we now need to push it up to the next rung and become the best known gems in the world.”
He also said that FACETS Sri Lanka will have a curated collection of SMEs, who encompass the backbone of the industry, in a specially demarcated area at the exhibition.
The Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association (SLGJA) is the apex private sector organisation representing the interests of all industry sub-sectors from mining through manufacturing, wholesale and retail.
It organizes FACETS Sri Lanka in partnership with the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board.
Photo Caption
1. Chairman FACETS Sri Lanka 2023 Altaf Iqbal speaks at the Media Launch
2. Chairman NGJA Viraj De Silva & Chairman FACETS Sri Lanka 2023 Altaf Iqbal shake hands sealing the sponsorship
3. At the Media Launch of FACETS Sri Lanka Premier Edition L to R: General Manager Cinnamon Grand Colombo Kamal Munasinghe, Chairman FACETS Sri Lanka 2023 Altaf Iqbal, President Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association Ajward Deen, Chairman National Gem & Jewellery Authority Viraj De Silva, Chairman Export Development Board Suresh De Mel, Chairman Local Promotions Committee, SLGJA Rizan Nazeer
