Cambodian exhibitors absent from Wuzhou Jewel Festival

Cambodia’s world-renowned precious stone and silver craftsmen and jewel designers were notably absent from the fifteenth Wuzhou Jewel Festival, held last month in China’s Wuzhou city, lamented a spokesperson.

The official said that in previous years Cambodian exhibitors were well received by visitors to the fair.

“However, this year, despite invitations sent to known exhibitors, we did not receive any feedback and no one participated. We are saddened by this as one can see from the many exhibits on display here that Cambodian silverware in particular would have done well.

“They are of equal quality, if not better, than some of the silverware exhibited at this show,” the official said.

She said the artificial gem industry in Wuzhou, a city located in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is thriving. The city has become a global hub in the sector, boasting production, processing, research and development, and quality inspection capabilities, she said.

“The Wuzhou Artificial Gem Quality Inspection Standard is now the world’s first artificial gem standard when it comes to specification and quality. This is leading to the gradual standardisation of artificial gem production and is popularising the Wuzhou brand in international circles.

“Millions of dollars of artificial jewellery, silverware and precious stones, in raw form as well as crafted or polished, are on display and up to 300 exhibitors from all over the world are participating, thus reinforcing Wuzhou as the capital of artificial gems,” she said.

Officials said 120,000 people and 500 enterprises are involved in the artificial jewel and gem industry in Wuzhou, churning an annual production valued at 2.5 billion yuan.

Gem production in Wuzhou accounts for 80 percent of the total produced in China, and up to 70 percent of the total world market.

“Our market has expanded beyond China to Thailand, India, the United States, Italy, Mexico, Malaysia and Russia, to name a few, and it is a pity that Cambodia did not participate to expand their exposure in the world market.

“Even though Cambodia may not have large deposits of precious stones, its jewels, gemstone, silver and copper crafts, as well as their craftsmen, are renown throughout the word.

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