The Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA), the apex body of the gem and jewellery industry of Sri Lanka, recently appointed Ahsan Refai as its Chairman along with a new governing body consisting of industry stalwarts.
A committee led by Altaf Iqbal has also been set up to handle the industry’s flagship event, FACETS.
The Executive Committee for 2018-19 comprises Chairman Ahsan Refai, Immediate Past Chairman A. H. M. Imtizam, Chairman FACETS & Vice Chairman Promotions and Trade Fairs Altaf Iqbal, Vice Chairman Gem Segment Punsiri Tennakoon, Vice Chairman Jewellery Segment Akram Cassim, Vice Chairman Lapidary Segment Ahamed Shareek. Hon. Secretary Sheriff Abdul Rahuman, Hon. Treasurer Ismath Majeed, Hon. Asst. Secretary Ruzwan Kamil and Hon. Asst. Treasurer Liyakath Rasvi.
The newly appointed Chairman of SLGJA Ahsan Refai, said the main focus this year would be to further develop international links the association has had with other similar groups.
“We plan to foster the international relationships we have with the other gem buying and gem sourcing countries. The key countries we would like to focus on are Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Korea, the UK, USA, Germany and some of the other European countries. At present we are having discussions at various forums. However, we would be concentrating on signing more MOUs and conducting bi-lateral and multi-lateral discussions on regular basis,” he stated.
As the intermediary between the industry and the government, SLGJA will also be instrumental in intervening on behalf of, and representing, the industry. The close relationship with the government is another area that the association will continue to foster, with a view to promote the gem and jewellery business.
Altaf Iqbal has been handed the responsibility of leading the main event in the industry’s calendar, the FACETS International Gem and Jewellery Exhibition for 2019, having been appointed as the Chairman as well as being appointed as the Vice Chairman Promotions and Trade Fairs.
“The target for the coming year would be to attract more foreign wholesale buyers, tourists and the local expatriate community. This would ensure that the local gem and jewellery industry will be highlighted in the international market, further. The committee intends launching an aggressive marketing campaign, both internationally and locally,” he commented.
In order to further promote Sri Lankan coloured gems and gem studded jewellery, a coffee table book entitled Sri Lanka Gems was launched by the SLGJA at FACETS 2018 held from 30 August – 02 September.
Booth bookings and further information regarding FACETS Sri Lanka 2019 could be made via email: facets@facetssrilanka.com.
A committee led by Altaf Iqbal has also been set up to handle the industry’s flagship event, FACETS.
The Executive Committee for 2018-19 comprises Chairman Ahsan Refai, Immediate Past Chairman A. H. M. Imtizam, Chairman FACETS & Vice Chairman Promotions and Trade Fairs Altaf Iqbal, Vice Chairman Gem Segment Punsiri Tennakoon, Vice Chairman Jewellery Segment Akram Cassim, Vice Chairman Lapidary Segment Ahamed Shareek. Hon. Secretary Sheriff Abdul Rahuman, Hon. Treasurer Ismath Majeed, Hon. Asst. Secretary Ruzwan Kamil and Hon. Asst. Treasurer Liyakath Rasvi.
The newly appointed Chairman of SLGJA Ahsan Refai, said the main focus this year would be to further develop international links the association has had with other similar groups.
“We plan to foster the international relationships we have with the other gem buying and gem sourcing countries. The key countries we would like to focus on are Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Korea, the UK, USA, Germany and some of the other European countries. At present we are having discussions at various forums. However, we would be concentrating on signing more MOUs and conducting bi-lateral and multi-lateral discussions on regular basis,” he stated.
As the intermediary between the industry and the government, SLGJA will also be instrumental in intervening on behalf of, and representing, the industry. The close relationship with the government is another area that the association will continue to foster, with a view to promote the gem and jewellery business.
Altaf Iqbal has been handed the responsibility of leading the main event in the industry’s calendar, the FACETS International Gem and Jewellery Exhibition for 2019, having been appointed as the Chairman as well as being appointed as the Vice Chairman Promotions and Trade Fairs.
“The target for the coming year would be to attract more foreign wholesale buyers, tourists and the local expatriate community. This would ensure that the local gem and jewellery industry will be highlighted in the international market, further. The committee intends launching an aggressive marketing campaign, both internationally and locally,” he commented.
In order to further promote Sri Lankan coloured gems and gem studded jewellery, a coffee table book entitled Sri Lanka Gems was launched by the SLGJA at FACETS 2018 held from 30 August – 02 September.
Booth bookings and further information regarding FACETS Sri Lanka 2019 could be made via email: facets@facetssrilanka.com.