Story Highlight
– AGJA and HKJJA host 2025 conference in Hong Kong.
– Partnership emphasizes ASEAN’s emerging jewellery market importance.
– Dialogue highlights opportunities in a unified ASEAN network.
– ASEAN’s young, digital population drives jewellery market growth.
– Event showcases commitment to global jewellery industry collaboration.
Full Story
The ASEAN Gems & Jewellery Trade Association (AGJA) and the Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association (HKJJA) celebrated a landmark partnership during HKJJA’s Diamond Jubilee by convening the 2025 AGJA Conference at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This significant event attracted a diverse array of international attendees, including industry leaders and innovators, further cementing ASEAN’s growing influence within the global jewellery market.
The conference exemplified the enduring collaboration between AGJA and HKJJA, nurtured over many years through shared goals and mutual cooperation. With HKJJA marking its 60th anniversary, the organisations took the opportunity to reaffirm their dedication to collective growth. Their partnership highlights Hong Kong’s strategic position as a worldwide trading centre, contrasted against ASEAN’s rapidly developing markets, which together present new business prospects for suppliers, retailers, and designers.
Keynote remarks were provided by Mr. Victor Chan, Chairman of HKJJA, Mr. Benedict Sin, HKJJA President and Director, and Mr. Suttipong Damrongsakul, AGJA President, who set an engaging tone for the conference.
The first session, chaired by Mr. Lawrence Ma, Founding President of the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, featured a panel that included insights from industry figures such as Mr. Charles Ho Nai Chuen (President, Singapore Jewellers Association), Mr. Ermin Siow (Vice Chairman, AGJA), Mr. Simon Chan (CEO, China Gems & Jade Exchange), Ms. Le Yen (Vietnam Gemstone Jewelry & Art Crafts Association), and Ms. Teresa Charminia Florencio (Vice Chairman, ASEAN International Committee; Guild of Philippine Jewellers Inc). Their discussions focused on the potential for establishing a cohesive ASEAN jewellery network, leveraging Hong Kong’s established trade expertise with ASEAN’s rich resources and creative potential.
In a second session, led by Mr. Kent Wong, Chairman of The Jewellers’ and Goldsmiths’ Association of Hong Kong, speakers Mr. Alan Chan (Chief Brand Officer, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group) and Mr. Terry Li (Vice General Manager, Tencent Smart Retail) discussed the transformative impact of digital technologies on the industry, emphasizing improvements in efficiency and profitability.
ASEAN, boasting a population exceeding 600 million—many of whom are young and tech-savvy—has emerged as a vibrant market for jewellery. Sellers increasingly regard the region as a pivotal entry point to this burgeoning consumer demographic, while buyers acknowledge its significance as a source of gemstones and design capabilities. Thailand remains a key player in the coloured gemstones domain, with Vietnam, Myanmar, and Indonesia enhancing the regional resource pool. The escalating demand for gold in ASEAN also paves the way for innovative designs that connect traditional craftsmanship with modern consumer preferences.
With robust participation and a commitment to collaborative dialogue, both AGJA and HKJJA have reinforced ASEAN’s role as a crucial contributor to the global jewellery industry. The success of this conference heralds not just a historic moment but also the potential for a rich and interconnected future for the jewellery sector worldwide.