Hong Kong is not only the hub of the jewelry industry in Asia, but in the entire world. First-string jewelry shows, famous designers, traditions and innovations in jewelry production attract here millions of buyers. The ‘Made in Hong Kong’ label has become a kind of warranty of high quality and unique design. It was not the least role played by the Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers’ Association (HKJMA) in shaping up this image.
For the last 20 years the Association brings together various companies operating in the jewelry industry. The Association supports its members in a most wide range of activities organizing exhibitions and specialized workshops, publishing various analytic materials and surveys of jewelry markets.
Since 1995, HKJMA has been organizing the Hong Kong International Jewelry Manufacturers’ Show annually. The show has become one of the largest Asian jewelry events. In 2009, the show scored over 18,000 visitors from 59 countries. Besides, HKJMA has been helping local jewelers to participate in various exhibitions around the world since its establishment. In 2009, at the JCK Las Vegas Show the Hong Kong Pavilion displayed over 200 participating companies.
In 2006, HKJMA organized the 2006 International Jewelry Design Innovation Competition on a worldwide scale. The event is now continued under the roof of the March Hong Kong International Jewelry Show.
In 2009, assisted by the Hong Kong Productivity Council, HKJMA developed the world’s first Global Jewelry Identity (Global J-ID) Management Label Scheme. The scheme established and enhanced the traceability of jewelry products. Global J-ID code is marked on jewelry’s metal and / or gemstones by a laser engraver. It gives a possibility to obtain information about their composition and specifications.
From 2009, HKJMA is chaired by Sunny Chan, who kindly agreed to answer our questions about the activities of the Association.
What kind of requirements should a company comply with to become an HKJMA member?
Currently we have around 400 members altogether. We have different classes of membership. For Ordinary Members, applicants must be Hong Kong registered companies. For Associate Members, applicants must be Hong Kong companies but not necessary with production facilities. For Information Service Members, applicants must be Hong Kong registered companies which are engaged in jewelry-related business such as insurance brokers, publishers, machinery or tool suppliers etc. All applications must be referred by 2 existing Ordinary Members or Associate Members.
What kind of educational programs and workshops do you organize?
Our training and education programs are open for public, but our members have certain preference to apply. People with jewelry background are preferable, as the courses aim at training industry practitioners. Our courses are organized on yearly basis and dependent on the demand and current market requirements. Tutors or guest speakers are all well experienced or qualified figures in the industry. We are proud to collaborate with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to award the first Executive diploma in Management (Jewelry) since 2007. For the past two years, we have organized a number of seminars for our members such as “Brand Building and Management Seminar”, “Keys to the Success of Jewelry Marketing and Sales, cross-over with Fashion”, “Culture, and Lifestyle”, as well as topical workshops on Jewelry wholesale and retail sectors.
In what way did the crisis affect the members of your Association? Did they receive any assistance from HKJMA?
Owing to the financial crisis, most of our members experienced business downsizing from 15% to 40%. In order to help our members during the hard time, besides subsidies, HKJMA also organized workshops to provide “Hints on receivables management during the financial crisis” and “Branding business in mainland market” etc.
We also assisted our members to open up new markets such as Ningbo, one of the coastal cities with strong local consumption power in China. HKJMA has partnered with the Ningbo Municipal Government to promote the Ningbo Shopping Festival, showcasing the style and Hong Kong’s jewelry design not only to the public but also fostering exceptional opportunity for business cooperation with local chains that offer effective sales network or channel in the area.
What are the outlooks for the Hong Kong jewelry companies in 2010?
The government’s new initiatives in the year 2009/10 are focused on the attempt to nurture new six pillar industries identified by the Task Force on Economic Challenges to drive long-term growth and broaden Hong Kong’s economic structure, including testing and certification which is have a great potential for further development. The Global J-ID scheme will certainly give us ample room to expand its scope in jewelry verification and traceability which is a remarkable milestone for the industry.
In 2009, China superseded Japan in diamond finished products import and became the second-largest diamond consuming market; its trade export exceeds that of Germany and there is a good possibility that China will become the world’s largest luxury market within the next 5 to 7 years. As for Hong Kong brands, we have already built good foundation for trust within mainland consumers, who are willing to pay premium prices for genuine or better quality products. Therefore, HKJMA has to provide more resources to strengthen its China representative office in order to help its members and coordinate its activities inside China mainly with a view of protecting their intellectual rights and broadening legal competence.
What tasks are set by HKJMA for the current year?
HKJMA will apply its best efforts to promote the exquisite Hong Kong jewelry design and management of quality manufacturing in order to cope with our overseas counterparts. We shall continue our efforts to find business solutions for cooperation and provide adequate assistance by way of such means as electronic payments or web platforms etc. We shall enhance our image during overseas exhibitions or trade fairs in order to reinforce Hong Kong’s regional brand and its added value or services for customers. Obviously, we shall continue providing education and trainings which are important ways to sustain or upgrade our knowledge, human resources, professional management and social responsibilities in order to remain competitive by global standards.
Olga Merekina for Rough&Polished from Shanghai
