New momentum for JNA Awards as it attracts scores of first-time entrants

HONG KONG,May 21,2019 -- The JNA Awards,one of the most prestigious and coveted awards programmes in the international jewellery and gemstone industry,received close to 100 entries from more than 60 companies and individuals across 11 award categories.

Organised by Informa Markets,the JNA Awards strives to recognise and celebrate excellence and innovation in the industry. Since its inception in 2012,the Awards has been dedicated to sharing its core values with the trade,inspiring the gemstone and jewellery industry to thrive and advance as a whole by sharing best business practices and encouraging high standards.

Letitia Chow,Chairperson of the JNA Awards,and Director of Business Development-- Jewellery Group at Informa Markets,remarks,"It has always been the intention of the Awards to widen its participant scope and attract new companies from different markets. This year,we are thrilled to receive such high number of entries,with more than 50% of them being first-time entrants,and their submissions account for almost half of the total entries. It is encouraging and promising to see that the benefits and purpose of the Awards are being recognised and valued by more and more members of the trade."

"We also continue to attract a diverse international group of companies from 15 countries and regions,namely Mainland China,Hong Kong,India,Indonesia,Japan,Malaysia,Russia,Singapore,Sri Lanka,Switzerland,Thailand,United Arab Emirates,United Kingdon,Vietnam and,for the first-time,Belgium."

Industry Innovation of the Year continues to be the category with the most number of entries,while Young Entrepreneur of the Year (age 40 and below) category is the second.

JNA Awards 2019 is supported by Headline Partners,Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group,the Shanghai Diamond Exchange,and DANAT,together with Honoured Partners,KGK Group,China Gems and Jade Exchange,and Guangdong Land Holdings Limited.

The Honourees or shortlisted entrants will be announced on 20 June 2019 at the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair.

For more information,visithttp://www.JNAawards.com/or contact:

JNA Awards Marketing

Informa Markets

+852 2516-2184

marketing@jnaawards.com

Notes for Editors:

1. About the Headline Partner

1.1 Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (www.chowtaifook.com)

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (SEHK stock code: 1929) was listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in December 2011.

Founded in 1929,the Group's iconic brand "CHOW TAI FOOK" has been widely recognised for its trustworthiness and authenticity,and is renowned for its product design,quality and value. The success of the Group and its iconic brand is rooted in innovation,craftsmanship and heritage. The Group also holds other jewellery brands including T MARK,HEARTS ON FIRE,MONOLOGUE and SOINLOVE,which are the first examples of a long term multi-brand strategy rollout.

The Group's commitment to sustainable growth is anchored in its "Smart+" strategy,which is in place to promote long term innovation in the business,in people and in culture. Another asset underpinning sustainable growth is a sophisticated vertically integrated business model. This supports the Group by fostering excellence and extending opportunities along the entire value chain to communities and industry partners.

With an extensive retail network in Greater China,Korea,Malaysia and the United States,and a fast-growing e-commerce business,the Group is implementing effective online-to-offline ("O2O") strategies to succeed in today's omni-channel retail environment.

1.2 Shanghai Diamond Exchange (www.cnsde.com)

Authorised by the State Council,the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE) is the only diamond exchange body in China; and provides diamond dealers a fair and safe transaction venue under close supervision. It also enjoys a favourable taxation policy and is operated in accordance with international best practices of the diamond industry.

Established in 2000,the SDE is a non-profit,self-regulating membership organisation and a member of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses.

1.3 Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones -- DANAT (www.danat.bh)

The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT) was established in 2017,as an initiative of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa,Crown Prince,Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain. DANAT was formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat),the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom. DANAT evolved from the Pearl & Gem Testing Laboratory of Bahrain (the first laboratory of its kind in the region),which was established in 1990. It was formed to expand upon and enhance the excellent work of the laboratory,with the vision of becoming the world's preferred institute for natural pearl and gemstone third-party verification services and scientific research.

Currently,DANAT plays a vital role in protecting and enhancing the public's trust in pearls,gemstones and jewellery. With its offices located at the iconic Bahrain World Trade Centre,the facility aims to establish itself as the window into international markets,serving local and global clients,and bolstering the reputation of the Kingdom as a leading centre for pearl and gemstone expertise.

DANAT is an authority on industry standards,scientific knowledge and education,and is committed to the highest standards of professional and personal ethics. It is dedicated to supporting the pearl and gemstone industry and offers training programmes locally,regionally and internationally to a new generation of gemmologists,industry professionals and gemmology enthusiasts.

2. About the Honoured Partners

2.1 KGK Group (www.kgkgroup.com)

The KGK Group was founded in 1905 by Kesrimal Kothari and Ghisilal Kothari of Jaipur (India),to trade gemstones between India and Burma. With a global presence across 19 countries today,the privately held group has evolved into one of the most preferred brands in the gemstone and jewellery industry,with a vertically integrated operation. KGK is one of the few conglomerates covering the entire spectrum of mining,sourcing,manufacturing and distribution of coloured gemstones,diamonds and jewellery for over a century. KGK Group has a resilient team of 12,000 employees with operations and offices in Asia,Australia,North and South America,Europe and Africa. Having achieved an impeccable reputation in the gemstone,diamond and jewellery trade,the group has recently diversified into real estate.

2.2 China Gems & Jade Exchange (www.csgje.com)

China Gems & Jade Exchange (CGJE) is a national gem and jade trading platform approved by the State Council.

China Gems & Jade Exchange adheres to the principle of "Led by Technology,Develop with Innovation",and using the latest real-time traceability,big data,block chains,high-end intelligent technology to solve various bottlenecks in the development of the gemstone industry. At present,two platforms have been built,namely,gemstone trading service platform and intelligent supply chain service platform. CGJE has become the only international gemstone trading service platform with full process tracking service in the industry.

In line with the basic principles of "fairness,impartiality and openness",China Gems & Jade Exchange combines the concepts of "innovation,advancement and compliance" to provide high-quality and professional third-party supporting trade services for jewelry enterprises at home and abroad.

2.3 Guangdong Land Holdings Limited (www.gdland.com.hk)

Guangdong Land Holdings Limited (GDLAND),with its headquarters in Hong Kong,is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited,and is a subsidiary of GDH Limited-- Guangdong Province's largest conglomerate operating outside Mainland China.

GDLAND primarily engages in property development and investment,and in business that include (but are not limited to) the development and operational management of innovative commercial real estate,urban complex and industrial business complex. As the strategic arm of GDH Limited,GDLAND engages in the business development of commercial real estate,as well as urban and industrial complex projects.

Its flagship "Buxin Project" is forecast to become the biggest and most advanced jewellery mart in the world. With a lot size of over 87,000 sq.m. and a floor area projected to exceed 700,000 sq.m.,the Buxin Project will include a large-scale jewellery trading and exhibition centre along with other facilities. Located in the Buxin area of Luohu district in Central Shenzhen,and close to the Shuibei Gold and Jewellery Base,this prime piece of property is expected to turn the area into one of the most influential gold and jewellery trading and exchange platforms,not just in China,but in the world.

3. About Informa Markets (www.informamarkets.com)

Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade,innovate and grow. Our portfolio is comprised of more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals,Infrastructure,Construction & Real Estate,Fashion & Apparel,Hospitality,Food & Beverage,and Health & Nutrition,among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage,experience anddo business through face-to-face exhibitions,specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world's leading exhibitions organiser,we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life,unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year.For more information,please visitwww.informamarkets.com.

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