PERSPECTIVE 精辟视野 16 | JNA January/February 2025 of gem and jewellery industrial estate Gemopolis in Thailand. “The same thing can happen in Southeast Asia where the luxury market is sustained by high-net-worth individuals. Many international luxury brands are steadily growing their presence in the region,” he shared. Regional synergies Collaboration is a key focus of AGJA, which is building a solid foundation for regional growth through internal and external partnerships. Thailand hosts its secretariat, and the vice chairmen of its international committee come from major jewellery trade associations in Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Myanmar and Vietnam. “Around 80 per cent of exporters in Southeast Asia send their products to the US and Europe, with some catering to China and Hong Kong as well. When these main markets experience slowdowns, businesses in the region can get badly hit.” Damrongsakul explained. “ASEAN, with its population of over 600 million, can be a formidable alternative. It has double the population of the US, and each member country continually enhances its infrastructure to attract investments.” Synergies abound as ASEAN covers the entire gem and jewellery supply chain, according to AGJA Vice President Ermin Siow, who is the advisor of the Federation of Goldsmiths and Jewellery Associations of Malaysia. “Southeast Asian countries complement each other. Malaysia buys gemstones from Thailand for its gem-set jewellery. Singapore purchases around 90 per cent of its plain gold jewellery from Malaysia. Each country has diverse raw materials and local consumer preferences that are ideal for regional trade,” said Siow. Membership drive While AGJA started with trade associations as members, individual businesses in the region can now join as well. At press time, AGJA had around 130 corporate members and a The ASEAN Gems and Jewellery Trade Association (AGJA) is on a mission to establish Southeast Asia as a leading manufacturing centre and consumption hub. First formed in 2018, the association put a pause on activities during the pandemic before resuming efforts in 2023. It is now bolstering collaborative ties, expanding its membership and showcasing the strengths of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) on the international stage while ensuring the sustainable development of the region’s gem and jewellery industry. AGJA Chairman Suttipong Damrongsakul said, “Our goal is to make ASEAN the world’s hub of gems and jewellery. We have the capabilities, foundation and experience to achieve this – it is just a matter of time. While geopolitical conflicts in other parts of the world do affect our region, these are also prompting businesses in Europe and the US to consider alternative markets such as Southeast Asia as both suppliers and customers.” Sustainable growth, innovation and collaboration, and thought leadership are the three core pillars of AGJA’s strategy, positioning the association as the leading voice of ASEAN's gems and jewellery industry on the global stage. To advance these objectives, AGJA will host roundtable discussions at key industry events throughout the year: Jewellery & Gem ASEAN Bangkok in April, Singapore International Jewellery Expo in July, and the AGJA Forum during Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong in September. These gatherings will foster high-level dialogues on trade strategies, sustainable innovation and ASEAN’s growing influence in the global jewellery market. By uniting stakeholders and driving actionable conversations, AGJA aims to lead the region towards a future that is sustainable, collaborative, and globally impactful. ASEAN can replicate the success of China a decade ago when the latter nearly singlehandedly sustained luxury brands while the US and Europe struggled with financial crises, noted Damrongsakul, who is also managing director AGJA | Olivia Quiniquini 程爱莉 | The ASEAN Gems and Jewellery Trade Association (AGJA) cites synergies and collaboration within Southeast Asia and with external partners as the signposts to establishing the region as a global gem and jewellery hub. 东盟宝石与珠宝贸易协会 (AGJA)认为，东南亚內外的协同效应与合作关系，预示该地区将成为全球宝石和珠宝枢纽。 精心规划东盟路线图 outlines roadmap for ASEAN success
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