Organizers pleased with outcome of the recently concluded 42nd BGJF

The recently concluded 42^nd Edition of the Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair (BGJF), held from 11 to 15 September 2008, was a resounding success despite the political unrest in the Thai capital with strong visitor turnout and robust trading volume. None of the 3,149 exhibitors, 2,829 of whom are local, pulled out in a show of confidence and reinforcement of their faith in the exhibition.

Khun Vichai Assarasakorn, President, Thai Gems & Jewellery Trading Association (TGJTA), estimated that business worth USD $ 882.0 million was transacted during the five-day, bi-annual fair. This represents about 15.0 % of the Kingdom’s total gems and jewellery exports, which was expected to reach USD $ 5.88 billion in 2008, an increase of 20.0 % over the previous year (2007).