A Bahraini delegation comprising of businessmen and media recently visited Thailand as invited by The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) which established, under the Ministry of Commerce, Royal Thai Government.
This was with the aim to build the competitiveness of Thai manufacturers and exporters to fulfill their potentials in association with the Royal Thai Embassy of Bahrain, Thailand Trade Centre Dubai and Tourism Authority of Thailand.
The delegation comprised of Yathreb Nabeel AlAameri, CEO of House of H; Ahmed Abdulwahid Alkooheji of Kooheji Jewelers; Asif Mohammad and Mohammed Sarfraz of Dream Gold Jewelry; Himalay Sanjay Rathod, Rama Jewelry; Royal Thai Embassy Bahrain Minister Counselor Banna Vaungvivat and Executive Secretary/Admin Coordinator Muhamed Shameer.
The Gems and Jewelry Trade Festival
The Bahraini delegation had the welcome visit at the 63rd edition of the prestigious Gems and Jewelry Trade festival inaugurated on February 20th by Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana. Conducted by the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce at Royal Jubilee Ballroom, IMPACT, and Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair is among the top five Jewelry Fairs in the world.
HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana chaired the opening ceremony with Ms. Chutima Boonyaprapatsorn, Deputy Commerce Minister, Mr. Boonyarit Kalayanamit, Permanent Secretary of Commerce, Ms. Banjongjitt Angsusingh, Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion and other government officials in attendance. HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana visited the gems and jewelry exhibitions at the event to show support for manufacturers in the gems and jewelry industry as well as inspire a new generation of designers to develop and produce gems and jewelry products for the world market.
The DITP is uplifting the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair, themed as “Thailand’s Magic Hands: The Spirit of Jewelry Making” is a platform for business people, buyers, sellers in the gems and jewelry industry to expand their businesses in many dimensions from material sourcing, trading, and network-building.
“To reinforce Thailand’s position as a world hub of gems and jewelry manufacturing and trading (Jewelry Hub), the Ministry of Commerce increases the awareness of consumers with projects such as the Buy with Confidence campaign by the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) or GIT, along with the promotion of the industry image in overseas markets.” Ms. Chutima Boonyaprapatsorn, Deputy Commerce Minister, said.
Ms. Banjongjitt Angsusingh, Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion said, “The DITP is determined to promote the exceptional craftsmanship to be led to the global gems and jewelry trade or Jewelry Hub that builds from skillful craftsmanship to global design, innovation and international trade excellence.”
“I do hope that the trade mission from Bahrain will accelerate Thai Jewelry export and help promote other related industries. I wish this event successful, particularly further strengthen the existing strong relationship between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people.” Thanis Na Song khla, Thailand ambassador to the Kingdom, said.
The Bahraini delegates were inspired by the unique products created by the Thai craftsmen and expressed their interests of collaboration.
“Our purpose to bring delegates from Bahrain to Thailand is to enhance the jewelry industry in Thailand. Jewelry industry in Thailand has the third largest expo in Thailand with a value of 23,000 Million Baht. We are happy that many businessmen from Bahrain has come here to purchase not only jewelry, but also the machines for the jewelry.” Royal Thai Embassy Bahrain Minister Counselor Banna Vaungvivat said.
“I am honored to visit the exhibition as invited by the Thai Embassy. We are working with many manufacturers from around the world and Thailand is very good and well-known in the manufacturing of diamonds.” Ahmed Abdulwahid Alkooheji from Kooheji Jewellers mentioned.
“I visit the Jewelry fair regularly to meet with my suppliers. This year, I am part of the Bahraini delegation to meet new suppliers for the machinery of the gold factory that I am starting along with the support of Economic Development Board (EDB) that will be in the BIIP.” Yathreb Nabeel AlAameri from House of H commented. She also expressed her interest in franchising one of the popular coffee chains from Thailand in Bahrain.
Discover Bangkok
Bahrain This Week was among the delegation invited for this prestigious visit to Thailand. The Ministry of Thailand also had arranged a tour for us to discover a busy metropolis of Bangkok, the capital city with its five-star accommodation, world-class shopping Centre, fine dining and entertainment options.
The tour started with wellness in mind at the Absolute Health Regenerative Clinic, which is a full service medical clinic providing Anti-Aging, Integration and Advancement in Medicine for individualized treatment programs for patients of all ages and with various disorders.
The visit was provided insights into the unique treatments such as Dietary Manipulation, Herbs, Vitamins and Minerals, Homeopathy, Detoxification, Chelation Therapy, Bio-oxidative Therapy, Hyperthermia, Acupuncture Point Injection, Neurotherapy von Huneke, Physiological Regulation Therapy, Electrostatic Stimulation, Organotherapy and Natural Hormonal Replacement that the physicians use there. The treatments are designed in order to optimize the body’s innate ability to heal itself.
The Center specializes in safe, natural, advanced medical therapies for most medical conditions. As a part of the delegation, we received some of the key wellness treatments which left us energized throughout the journey and even after that.
The second visit was to Mahanakhon Skywalk, one of the best premium attractions at the heart of Bangkok, combining spectacular views with an unmatched guest experience. Located at the top of King Power Mahanakhon Building, Thailand’s highest observation deck at 314 meters offers 360 degree panoramic views from an indoor and outdoor viewing area. The tower is in the shape of a square prism with the appearance of a rough spiral to cuboidal surfaces cut into the side of the building. The building features a pixelated ribbon that swirls around the exterior, peeling back its surface layer to expose an inner layer, creating balconies with views of the city. The glass walls are divided horizontally and vertically, adding to the building’s “pixelated” appearance. It is the 88th tallest building in the world. We boarded one of the fastest video themed a glass Skywalk that would made most of us squeal in terror! It has become the latest attraction of Bangkok.
We also visited the Icon Siam shopping mall called as the “Mother of All Malls.” It surpasses the already impressive retail palaces present in downtown Bangkok.
With 500 shops and 100 restaurants from more than 30 different countries, the scale of Icon Siam is unrivalled in the Thai capital. Developed by the same tycoons behind Siam Paragon and EmQuartier, Icon Siam features cooler and high-end brands, an indoor floating market, an art gallery, exhibition space, and a beautiful riverside location with views of downtown Bangkok.
We thoroughly enjoyed as we boarded the luxurious river cruise across the Chao Phraya River, and while experiencing the delight in the Bangkok evening atmosphere. Traveling along Bangkok’s main waterway, alongside the magic of the illumination of the city’s temples, through the glowing Arun Waht was a splendid opportunity to understand Thailand life. The highlight of the evening was the Feast on a Thai dinner buffet as you take in the majestic sight of the Grand Palace, its golden spires and other historic monuments.
We returned with expansion plans and international tie-ups that will posthumously bring beneficial results for both countries.
Written By: Sumesh John Joy