Kee Hua Chee Live!: OPENING GALA CEREMONY OF 59th BANGKOK GEMS & JEWELRY FAIR AT ROYAL JUBILEE BALLROOM AT IMPACT CHALLENGER IN MUANG THONG THANI AN HOUR FROM BANGKOK

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND VIPS ON STAGE

'THE MOMENT'

'OVER 60'S'

'CULTURE CLUB'

'THE NICE JEWELS'
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AFTER 59 YEARS THE ORGANISERS OF BANGKOK GEMS & JEWELRY FAIR KNOW HOW TO STAGE A PROPER, PROFESSIONAL OPENING CEREMONY THAT IS SHORT, SWEET AND SCINTILLATING!

And so it was at the gala launch of the 50th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani today 22 February 2017.

The event started just 30 minutes late at 2.30 pm after the arrival of Minister of Commerce Mrs Apiradi Tantraporn and dignitaries. The 2 glamorous emcees greeted in Thai with 'Sawadee kha' and proceeded in English as this is an international event and most Thais attending also speak Thai.

The Minister of Commerce was invited on stage where she spoke in excellent English and even her salutations were brief unlike Malaysians who spend like 10 minutes announcing the titles and honorifics with job descriptions.

I enjoyed her speech which was concise and to the point. Indeed the 2 emcees had announced after the speech there would be 2 photo sessions lasting a few minutes and the show would begin!
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Opening Speech by

Mrs. Apiradi Tantraporn, Minister of Commerce

At The Opening Ceremony of the 59^th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair
Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 14.00 hrs.

At the Royal Jubilee Ballroom, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani

"I am pleased and honored to be presiding over the grand opening of the 59^th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair today. On behalf of the Ministry of Commerce, I wish to welcome you to the event and thank you for your contribution to the success of the fair.

"The gems and jewelry sector has long been regarded as one of the country’s major industries. Globally competitive and distinctive in its indigenous nature, encompassing the entire value chain - from mining to retail sales, the Thai gems and jewelry industry is the lifeline of approximately 15,800 entrepreneurs and over 900,000 workers.

"To date, our country stands proud as the world’s 10^th largest gems and jewelry exporter. In 2016, the industry fetched nearly 7 billion US dollars in export value. And for 2017, it is expected to bring 7.32 billion US dollars, a 5% increase from the previous year.

"Today, I am proud to announce that, thanks to the recent Cabinet resolution and the government’s strong commitment to supporting this industry, the import duty of all gems and jewelry has been lifted, effective from January 28, 2017. In addition, the Government has adopted several incentive measures to create a favorable trade environment to strengthen the competitiveness of Thai entrepreneurs.

"I am certain this set of policy will help steer the country towards becoming ‘the World’s Jewelry Hub’.

"The government, especially the Ministry of Commerce, recognizes the critical role played by the Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair in establishing Thailand as a reputable trade platform for exhibitors seeking to expand exports and build business networks with importers from around the world.

"But more importantly, it is the center stage for potential Thai SMEs as well as talented designers to showcase their creativity and innovative designs to the international audience.

"Organized under the concept “The World’s Gems and Jewelry Destination” to reaffirm Thailand’s prominent position as the world’s gems and jewelry hub, the 59^th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair brings together 730 companies from throughout Thailand and the world to showcase the vast array of gems and jewelry as well as related products and services in 2,011 booths. The fair is expected to generate revenue of 17 billion baht.

"I wish to invite all of you to explore our five-day trade show and get updated on global market trends through a series of insightful seminars.

"Not to be missed are “the Showcases” featuring innovative creations for consumers in 6 emerging market sectors across the globe.

"I take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to our alliances and all parties concerned for their untiring support for the 59^th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair.

"My thanks also goes to our trade partners and valued exhibitors for helping make Thailand the manufacturing and trading hub of gems and jewelry of ASEAN and the world. I wish all of you every success in your business endeavours and hope you enjoy your time at the fair which I now declare officially open."

And it was over! Just like that. No pressing of button to release laser beams or banging a gong or dramatic dry ice effects!

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THE GRAND OPENING CEREMONY WAS HELD INSIDE ROYAL JUBILEE BALLROOM

THE MALAYSIAN CONTINGENT WERE GIVEN VIP FRONT ROW SEATS

DATO KEE HUA CHEE'S MASSIVE JEWELS LIKE THIS GOLDEN DRAGON STOLE THE SHOW

DATO KEE HUA CHEE'S BLING OUTSHONE EVERY EXHIBITOR'S COLLECTIONS!

SENSATIONAL EFFECT

ROYAL JUBILEE BALLROOM AT IMPACT CHALLENGER IS STUNNING

DATO KEE HUA CHEE AND HIS GAL PALS

BEST SEATS FOR US AS MALAYSIANS MAKE UP THE BIGGEST NUMBER OF VISITORS TO KINGDOM OF SMILES!

VIPS

THE MINISTER OF CULTURE MRS APIRADI TANTRAPORN GIVES SPEECH

FIRST PHOTO CALL

SECOND PHOTO CALL OF ALL VIPS

OPENING ACT CALLED 'THE MOMENT' IN HONOUR OF INDIA, A MAJOR JEWELRY DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING CENTRE

INDIAN FASHIONS FOR MEN AND WOMEN ARE MOST SCINTILLATING AND THIS RED COMBO MATCHES RUBIES

THOUGH YOU CAN HARDLY SEE THE JEWELS DUE TO OSTENTATIOUS GARMENTS!

SLEEK AND STYLISH

BLUE APPAREL TO MATCH SAPPHIRES

EMERALD BLING FOR SURE!

EXCLUSIVE EMERALDS

GRAND AND EXOTIC

THIS SEGMENT OUT OF FOUR, REALLY BAFFLED ME AS I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF 'JEWELS FOR SENIORS' BEFORE! WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? SINCE WHEN DO OLD WOMEN ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO WEAR A CERTAIN TYPE OF JEWELS? ARE YOUNG WOMEN UNDER 25 ALSO LIMITED TO A PARTICULAR STYLE OR ONLY ALLOWED TO WEAR CHEAPER STONES COMPARED TO OLDER AND PRESUMABLY OLDER WOMEN?