China is expecting 30,000 to 50,000 visitors a day to attend its first international Mineral, Fossil and Gem Show.
The show, which will be held in Changsha from May 16-20 this year, will feature at least 1000 exhibitors from more than 50 countries including the US, Brazil, Italy, France, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Australia.
Promoting the show in Sydney and Melbourne, show founder and president Dr Kong Sui said it was an exciting opportunity for all those involved in minerals, fossils and gemstones.
“I launched the show to help develop the Chinese mineral, fossil and jewellery industry,” he said.
“It is the first fair of its kind in the Asia-Pacific area and is supported by the Central Government of China which wants to help develop the mineral, fossil and gem market.W
Also in Sydney to promote the Show, Wilson Yuen, the world president of the International Coloured Gemstone Association, said the show was an excellent opportunity for companies wanting to tap into China’s US$120 billion a year coloured gemstone and jewellery market.
“The industry is already worth a lot but it is going to grow even further as China’s middle class grows,” he said.
“The Chinese government does not want China to be ‘a factory for the world’ – it wants to develop creatively and grow domestic consumption.”
Andrew Cody, director of Cody Opal, said he would be exhibiting at the show as he wanted to showcase his opals and opal jewellery to “the huge Chinese jewellery market” as well as the country’s museum curators.
“China is undergoing a major boom in natural science museum building,” he said. “More than 395 museums were opened in 2011 alone and there are currently more than 1000 museums under construction.”
In addition, some of the company’s fossil and opal specimen displays will be exhibited at the show to help generate interest in Australia’s national gemstone.
Cody is also helping organise an Australia delegation of suppliers and buyers to attend the Show.
“Buyers, collectors, scientists, museum curators and anyone interested in this exciting event should contact me at www.codyopal.com.au ,” he said.
The Mineral, Fossil and Gem Show will be held from May 12-16.
For more information visit www.changsha-show.com