INTERNATIONAL JEWELRY EXHIBITION STARTED IN YEREVAN

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INTERNATIONAL JEWELRY EXHIBITION STARTED IN YEREVAN

10.05.2002

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Jewelry - 2002" International Trade Exhibition started today in Yerevan. As reported by "Arka" agency, the official opening of the exhibition, in which the Armenian President Robert Kocharian will take part, will be held tomorrow. In the words of the chairman of the Jewelers' Union of Armenia Emil Grigorian, the exhibition will contribute to contacts between the producers and traders. It is a specialized exhibition and professionals "looking for long-term contacts" come here, he stressed. Grigorian considers that integration into the world economy takes place by means of such fairs. The exhibition, which will last till May 14, is organized by the Jewelers' Union of Armenia and the Confederation of the United Jewelers of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The trade exhibition is held with support by the Armenian government, "Jewelers' Guild" Russian association, "Jewelers" (Uzbekistan) and the Union of Designers of Armenia. Over 30 companies from Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Turkey and other countries participate in the exhibition.

 

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Bright Business: Prospects sparkle for jewelry industry during trade show

By Haykaz Baghian and Narine Khachatrian

ArmeniaWeek business reporters

The “Goldsmith-2002” jewelry exposition/sale, May 10-14 in Yerevan, was a bright example that Armenian jewelers survived the jewelry market crises of last fall’s economic downturn.

 

“The global changes and intensifying pressure of competition forced all the producers to get rid of the habitual stereotypes and organize more effective production,” said Hratch Kaspar, coordinator of the Armenian Jewelry Association. “Simultaneously they managed to diversify the product range, update marketing strategies, as well as approaches to advertising policy and promotion.”

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Jewelry production in Armenia in 2001 more than doubled the amounts of the 1990s, according to Emil Grigorian, chairman of the Association of Goldsmiths and Jewelers. And, in the first quarter of this year, Armenia has exported $40 million worth of diamonds and $5 million worth of gold, up 30 percent over the first quarter of last year.

 

Last year’s increase in production and export follows three years in which the industry has seen significant growth. Armenia’s recent reputation as a stable and successful industry has contributed to an increase in jewelry and diamonds investment, including world cartel De Beers, Israeli corporation Lev Leviev Diamonds and Frank Muller of Switzerland.

 

The number of contracts concluded during the exposition reached $12 million, up 12 percent from last year. The exposition is in its fifth year.

 

The exposition brought together more than 50 companies in jewelry and related industries. In addition to neighboring countries of Georgia and Turkey, other participants included Russia and Ukraine, France, Italy, Spain, Uzbekistan and Japan.

 

Dalloz, a world leader in the production of automated and machined faced synthetic stones and cubic zirconium, was awarded first prize for the best exhibition.

 

Georgian National Mint, the only jewelry plant in Georgia, participated in the fair for the second time and signed five contracts during the first day, said Jemal Tsamaladze, company manager. The company purchased sapphires, rubies and amethysts in Armenia.

 

The Uzbek, Khunarmand and Association of craftsmen of Bukhara’s province brought to Yerevan only gold woven robes and rugs. High customs-tariffs of Uzbekistan prevented them from broader demonstration of Uzbek craftsmen pieces.

 

The Ukrainian jewelers are also facing taxation problems in their country. Because of high tariffs, the Kiev jewelry plant has to sell gold of 585 alloys for at least $20 per gram, losing some clients. In Armenia it got a chance to sell the same amount for $14, due to a more demanding market and taxation laws that are more favorable to the industry.

 

Adamas Jewelry Group, one of the largest jewelry manufacturers in Russia, presented a wide variety of machine-processed gold chains, jewelry articles made of gold and platinum of various colors and diamonds complemented with natural precious, semiprecious and artificial stones. Adamas is the only company in Russia, which has 700 large wholesale partners, and customers in all major cities in the country and a large network of private outlets.

 

Experts emphasized the importance of trade houses participating in such expositions and say it is significant that Cemes, the largest trade house in Russia participated in the Yerevan show even though few dealers (compared to the variety of products) participated.

 

The most varied collections were presented by Armenian jewelers, including YJP, which exports widely to the US, Middle East and in the Commonwealth of Independent States.

 

The 50-year old company has been refurbished and has tripled its output in the past three years and now employs 2000. Grigorian, president of YJP, was awarded the Anania Shirakatsi medal for his great contribution in the development of the industry.

 

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“The exhibition showed that the Armenian jewelers can be sure of the direction they’ve chosen,” said Ashot Shahnazarian, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Economic Development of Armenia.

Photos by Karen Minasian

 

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JEWELRY FAIR PROMISES PROGRESS

 

The 5-th fair named ‘Jewelry-2002’ ended its works May 23, in which 15 companies of eight different countries took part. Among the countries that sent their jewelry works to Armenian fair were Russia, Georgia, France, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Japan, Ukraine, Italy. Among the companies that participated in the fair were also joint Russian-German, Armenian-Canadian, Armenian-British and Armenian-Swiss enterprises.

 

Summing up the results of the fair, the chairman of the Yerevan Jewelry Plant’s (YJP) director’s council Emil Grigorian said that more than 6000 people visited the fair, 3000 out of which were guests, and around 500 - representatives of the foreign jewelry companies. Twelve auctions, 4 fashion shows and a jewelry show were held during the fair days. Couple of days ago the third congress of the Armenian Jewelers’ Union was held, where the chairman of the YJP’s directors’ council Emil Grigorian was awarded with an ‘Anania Shirakatsi’ order, and around 50 jewelers received high assessment by the government.

 

During the jewelry fair many agreements with foreign jewelry companies were signed (12% more than last year), which are mostly aimed at supplying Armenian jewelry companies with prepared raw materials and necessary equipment. Also agreements have been reached which will enable Armenian jewelers to participate in international jewelry fairs to be held in USA and Italy by the end of this year.

 

By Marietta Makarian