ABOUT 40 Myanmar gem traders will take part in Facets 2005: The 15th Sri Lanka International Gem and Jewellery Show, to be held in the capital city, Colombo, from August 31 to September 3.

Mr Shah Janha, the chief executive officer of the organising Taipan Trading Company, visited Yangon last week to urge Myanmar traders to exhibit at the fair.

He said the exhibition will include displays of rubies, sapphires, jewellery and other precious colour stones from Myanmar, Sri Lanka and other gem-producing countries.

“We are inviting Myanmar merchants because rubies from this country are famous throughout the world – Myanmar merchants who attended last year’s show realised US$3 million in sales,” he said.

“Fifteen of the 150 booths will be reserved for participants from Myanmar, but we will expand the number of booths for Myanmar in the future,” he said.
Mr Janha said gem sales in Sri Lanka are strong, so Myanmar participants will be assured of finding new markets.

He also urged pearl producers to participate, as demand for pearls is high in Sri Lanka.