The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT) will continue to strengthen policies and strategies aimed at further raising the profile of Thai jewellery and gemstone industry players globally.

According to Sumed Prasongpongchai, deputy director of GIT, the institute is implementing various programmes to support the local industry and foster sustainable growth.

Alongside these initiatives is the development of gemmological standards to boost confidence in the Thai gem and jewellery industry.

The institute is actively creating standards to enhance verification and certification services that meet international benchmarks, revealed Prasongpongchai. GIT is also planning to establish professional standards for academic professionals in the gem and precious metals sector.

In addition, GIT has cooperated with institutions in other countries such as China to push for further standardisation and mutual recognition of certificates in the trade, which will also support the Thai export sector. 

In a bid to promote confidence in the jewellery business, GIT introduced the Buy With  Confidence Programme where GIT certificates guarantee the quality of every gemstone or jewellery purchase. Buyers can look for the Buy With Confidence logo in the shops.

 The institute is also accelerating the development of training courses for businesses in the digital age. 

Prasongpongchai said GIT has set up learning centres as well as a library and a museum, which provide top-quality gemstone and jewellery sources for research and design in Asia.

To support entrepreneurship, GIT has collaborated with educational institutions to promote   and develop beautiful and functional jewellery, under the concept “Beyond Jewelry.”

Furthermore, the institute is also continuously conducting new entrepreneurial   development projects in the region. In 2020, it initiated the Esan Dern project by bringing in experts   to educate and work with artisans and entrepreneurs in five provinces in the northeastern region  of Thailand. The aim was to develop jewellery pieces with modern elements but also maintain their local identity.

 “In 2021, GIT will focus more on the potential of overseas markets and online sales with  plans to develop ‘silver entrepreneurs’ in the northern region since Thailand is the world’s top  silver exporter,” Prasongpongchai said.    

Commenting on the coronavirus situation, he said the gems and jewellery business is likely to make a solid comeback once the vaccines are rolled out.