FACETS Sri Lanka, the premier edition Gem and Jewellery Exhibition was inaugurated by Minister of Industries Dr. Ramesh Pathirana at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, yesterday.
It was organised by the National Gem and Jewellery Association and Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Authority. It will continue till tomorrow, January 9.
The Chief Guest Minister Pathirana outlined the Government’s plans for the Gem and Jewellery Industry, and added, “We have already established that the Industry will aim towards US$ 1 billion in exports in 2023 and we will facilitate value addition of our gems by enabling all technology and equipment related to value addition being duty free. A committee will also be appointed to facilitate a pension plan for gem miners and other related accusations.”
State Minister Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association Ajward Deen and Chairman Facets Althaf Iqbal also addressed the gathering.
Chairman of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority Viraj De Silva, Chairman of the Export Development Board Suresh de Mel, Diplomats from Indonesia, Vietnam, Palestine and Nepal along with a large number of International and local buyers were also present.