Record number of Thai jewellers being recognised in 2019 JNA Awards

HONG KONG,Sept.16,2019 -- Thailand sees an unprecedented success in the jewellery and gemstone industry with a record-breaking number of shortlisted companies,referred to as Honourees,in the eighth edition of the JNA Awards. The highly prestigious awards presentation ceremony and gala dinner forthe international jewellery and gemstone industry,will be held on 17 September,2019 in Hong Kong during the September Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair.

Widely known for its high-quality craftsmanship and strong manufacturing base,Thailand has long been recognised as an important manufacturing hub for fine jewellery and key source for quality gemstones. This year,the JNA Awards will raise the profile of this market further by honouring five outstanding Thai companies as Honourees on the global stage in September.They represent different segments of the trade and cover four different categories -- Industry Innovation of the Year,Manufacturer of the Year -- Cutting and Polishing,Manufacturer of the Year -- Jewellery,and Outstanding Enterprise of the Year. These companies form part of the backbone of the success of the Thai jewellery trade.

From far left (clockwise) 1. Process of designing pattern for invisible setting bracelet at China Stone 2. A piece of jewellery from MKS undergoes finishing touches 3. Christy Gems’ Nawatara-Innovative product 4. Diamond necklace from K.S. Jewelry 5. YLG 999.9 gold bar

The 2019 JNA Awards Honourees from Thailand:

China Stone Co Ltd,Industry Innovation of the Year - Production Technology and Manufacturer of the Year -- Cutting & Polishing -- Creativity and Innovation

Christy Gem Co Ltd - Industry Innovation of the Year - Jewellery Manufacturing Technology

K.S. Jewelry International Co Ltd - Industry Innovation of the Year - Jewellery Manufacturing Technology

MKS Jewelry International Co Ltd - Manufacturer of the Year -- Jewellery

YLG Bullion International Co Ltd - Outstanding Enterprise of the Year -- Countries/Regions outside of China and India

Please visit here for the full list of 2019 JNA Awards Honourees.

"Thai jewellers have been breaking new grounds in terms of innovation and advancement. All five of our Thai Honourees are the cream of the crop in the industry and we are honoured to be part of their success stories. I look forward to seeing more Thai companies as our Honourees in the future," commented Letitia Chow,Chairperson of the JNA Awards and Director of Business Development -- Jewellery Group at Informa Markets.

This year for its eighth edition,the JNA Awards 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.

Organised by Informa Markets,the JNA Awards celebrates and recognises outstanding achievements and leadership,with a mission to champion excellence,innovation and best business practices in the jewellery and gemstone industry. To date,more than 500 industry leaders and trade VIPs are expected to attend the awards ceremony.

ENDS

For more information,visitwww.JNAawards.comor contact:

JNA Awards Marketing

Informa Markets (Hong Kong)

+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 (the "Group") 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 CHOW TAI FOOK 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,Japan,Singapore,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 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 (http://www.danat.bh)

The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT) was established in 2017,at the instigation 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. As an organisation,DANAT has evolved from the Pearl & Gem Testing Laboratory of Bahrain (the first laboratory of its kind in the region),which was established in 1990. DANAT 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.

DANAT plays a vital role in protecting and enhancing the public trust in pearls,gemstones and jewellery. With its offices located at the iconic Bahrain World Trade Center,DANAT 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),with the humble task of trading 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 that spans the entire supply chain from mines to brands. 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 The 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,highend 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 The Guangdong Land Holdings Limited (www.gdland.com.hk)

The 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,which is Guangdong Province's largest conglomerate operating outside Mainland China.

The principal business of GDLAND is property development and investment,including but not limited to the development and operational management of the 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.

GDLAND's flagship project,namely the "Buxin Project," is planned to become the biggest and most advanced jewellery mart in the world,including a large-scale jewellery trading and exhibition centre along with other facilities,with a lot size of over 87,000 square metres and a construction scale (floor area) that is projected to exceed 700,000 square metres. The Buxin Project,which is located in the Buxin area of Luohu district in Central Shenzhen,close to the Shuibei Gold and Jewellery Base,is expected to develop the area into one of the most influential gold and jewellery trading and exchange platforms in China and around 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 and do 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 visit www.informamarkets.com.

Informa Markets

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