16 Chinese companies rocks at JNA Awards 2018
Sixteen China-based companies have been shortlisted as Honourees at the prestigious JNA Awards 2018, reflecting the increasingly significant role that China plays in the international jewellery and gemstone industry. Remarkably 9 of the Honouree companies are first-time entrants. It also marks China as the country with the largest number of Honourees for the second consecutive year, with 16 Chinese companies also received this honour last year.
Organised by UBM Asia, the JNA Awards is one of the most prestigious awards programmes in the international jewellery and gemstone industry. The Awards is set out to promote and encourage innovation, excellence and best business practices within the trade and has since then recognised a diverse range of companies from the global jewellery community for their achievements.
Out of 36 Honourees companies from 12 countries and regions this year, 16 of them are from China, covering eight categories. The participation level and quality of Chinese companies joining the Awards has been on the rise impressively since the inaugural edition, which only saw one Honouree from China. The Award Recipients and Honourees will be feted at a gala celebration on Sunday, 16 September, at the InterContinental Hong Kong.
Letitia Chow, Chairperson of the JNA Awards, Founder of JNA, and Director of Business Development – Jewellery Group at UBM Asia, said, “The Chinese jewellery and gemstone sector has been keen and innovative in meeting the challenges in different areas and aspects of the industry. Their efforts and hard work have certainly paid offby being recognised as Honourees of the Awards.
“Based in one of the largest jewellery markets in the world, quite a number of Chinese enterprises have made it to the Honourees list despite keen competition this year. I sincerely hope that these leading enterprises would inspire more companies in the trade, not only in mainland China but around the world, to achieve excellence and success.”
The 2018 independent judging panel consists of industry experts, namely, Albert Cheng, Advisor to the World Gold Council (WGC) and former Managing Director, Far East (WGC); James Courage, former Chief Executive Officer of Platinum Guild International (PGI) and former Chairman of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC); Lin Qiang, President and Managing Director of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE); Mark Lee, Research Director of Asia Pacific Institute for Strategy (APIFS); Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in India and the Middle East; and Yasukazu Suwa, Chairman of Suwa & Son, Inc.
JNA Awards 2018 is supported by Headline Partners Chow Tai Fook (CTF), the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE), and the Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT) together with Honoured Partners KGK Group, Guangdong Gems & Jade Exchange, and Guangdong Land Holdings Limited (GDLAND).
