HONG KONG, June 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The ninth edition
of the prestigious JNA Awards announced its highly anticipated list
of Honourees across seven award categories at a webcast on Monday,
29 June, followed by an online panel discussion featuring industry
thought leaders. The Awards' first-ever virtual event was
well-attended by international jewellers.
A renowned awards programme organised by Informa Markets since
2012, the JNA Awards promotes sustainable advancement within the
industry by recognising individuals and companies that have
demonstrated excellence, innovation and best business practices –
irrespective of the size and scale of their operations, fields of
expertise and the geographical regions they serve.
In the last few weeks, the judges diligently assessed entries
from 11 countries and regions across five continents, selecting 32
shortlisted Honourees out of a highly qualified pool of
nominees.
While Industry Innovation of the Year continues to be the most
popular category, the Awards saw a spike in the number of entries
for Sustainability Initiative of the Year – further underlining the
jewellery community's commitment to the values of innovation and
sustainability as drivers for positive change.
Letitia Chow, Chairperson of the
JNA Awards, and Director of Business Development - Jewellery Group
at Informa Markets, commented, "This year has indeed been unusual,
pushing us to be more adaptable, flexible and creative in the face
of extraordinary uncertainties. This impressive show of business
agility has clearly been demonstrated by our roster of Honourees
for 2020, which consists of start-ups and well-established
companies. They have achieved incredible feats in the past 18
months, irrespective of their size, location or business nature. I
am also delighted to see first-time Honourees from Africa and the Americas this year, further
underscoring the JNA Awards' unique role in bringing together the
best and the brightest of the jewellery industry."
The independent judging panel consists of industry experts,
namely, Albert Cheng, CEO, Singapore
Bullion Market Association and International Advisor, Shanghai Gold
Exchange; James Courage, former
Chief Executive 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), and Nirupa Bhatt, Senior Advisor to the Gemological
Institute of America (GIA) India.
On the number of entries received this year, Cheng shared, "I am
happy to see a substantial number of participants this year despite
the pandemic. We were able to identify outstanding enterprises and
individuals who excel in their fields in the past 18 months. Their
level of success and achievements are testaments to the high esteem
that has been associated with the JNA Awards in the industry
globally. "
Courage added, "Despite the challenging circumstances, there is
a strong and varied range of entries from 11 countries and regions.
These reinforce the jewellery industry's success in innovation and
adaptation to change, and evolving consumer and market needs. There
is a noticeable focus on social and environmental improvements and
responding to the effects of COVID-19."
"This year is extremely challenging for jewellery companies,
whose survival and development are more than difficult. In this
context, however, the JNA Awards still received entries from around
the world with more than half of the entrants first-timers. Apart
from being amazed by the influence and credibility of the JNA
Awards, I feel inspired and fully confident in our future," Lin
remarked.
Lee noted, "During today's
challenging market situation of Covid-19, The JNA Awards continues
to play an important role in the industry's development and
success. This platform attracts many new enterprises to join and
innovate business models, product development and marketing. I am
exceptionally impressed to see these new entrants with great
passion for and commitment to the industry. I am sure, with the JNA
Awards, the industry will be shining brightly."
Bhatt concluded, "We look for news to brighten up our day during
these stressful times. The JNA Awards provides industry members an
opportunity to share stories about the progress they have made,
their future plans and the innovations they bring to businesses and
the industry for the greater good. It was a delight to read and
learn about all the entries and be inspired by the efforts of our
colleagues in the industry."
Full list of JNA Awards 2020 Honourees:
Industry Innovation of the Year - Customer
Engagement
- BOJEM Jewelry
- Shineshilpi Jewellers Pvt Ltd
- The Muzo Companies
Industry Innovation of the Year -
Marketing
- CHJ JEWELLERY
- MCLON JEWELLERY COMPANY LIMITED
Industry Innovation of the Year – Technology
- GemCloud Software Limited
- KGK Diajewels Private Limited
- Tracr
Manufacturer of the Year
- Emerald Jewel Industry India Limited
- KGK Diajewels Private Limited
- Le Vian
- Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company (PNJ)
- Shenzhen XingGuangDa Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd
Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – APAC
- CHJ JEWELLERY
- DOJI GOLD & GEMS GROUP
JSC
- Luk Fook Holdings (International) Limited
- Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company (PNJ)
- Shenzhen XingGuangDa Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd
Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – EMEA
- Dhamani Jewels
- KGK Diamonds SA PTY Ltd
Retailer of the Year
- KASHI JEWELLERS
- MCLON JEWELLERY COMPANY LIMITED
- SHANGHAI ZBIRD CO LTD
Sustainability Initiative of the Year
- De Beers Group
- Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company (PNJ)
- The Muzo Companies
Young Entrepreneur of the Year (age 40 and below)
- Chetan Kumar MEHTA, LAXMI DIAMONDS
- Joyee ZHAO, BOJEM Jewelry
- Nancy WONG, Luk Fook Holdings (International) Limited
- Ridhi Sohil GALA, KASHI JEWELLERS
- Tarun DANGAYACH, Color Jewels Inc
- William CHU, HEIG LIMITED
JNA Awards 2020 is supported by Headline Partners Chow Tai Fook
Jewellery Group, Shanghai Diamond Exchange, and DANAT, together
with Honoured Partners KGK Group, China Gems and Jade Exchange and
Guangdong Land (Shenzhen) Co
Ltd.
ENDS
For more information, visit http://www.JNAawards.com/ or
contact:
JNA Awards Marketing
Informa Markets
+852 2516-2184
marketing@jnaawards.com
Notes for Editors:
1. About the Headline Partner
1.1 Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited
(www.ctfjewellerygroup.com)
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (the "Group"; SEHK stock
code: 1929) was listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of
Hong Kong in December 2011. The Group's vision is to become
the most trusted jewellery group in the world.
Founded in 1929, the Group's iconic brand "CHOW TAI FOOK" is
widely recognised for its trustworthiness and authenticity, and is
renowned for its product design, quality and value. A long-standing
commitment to innovation and craftsmanship has contributed to the
Group's success, along with that of its iconic retail brand, and
has been embodied in its rich 90 year heritage. Underpinning this
success are our long held core values of "Sincerity -
Eternity".
The Group's multi-brand strategy comprises the CHOW TAI FOOK
core brand with its offerings of different retail experiences
including ARTRIUM, JEWELRIA, Experience Shop and CTF WATCH, in
addition to other brands including HEARTS ON FIRE, T MARK, ENZO,
SOINLOVE and MONOLOGUE to address the diversifying needs of our
customers.
The Group's commitment to sustainable growth is anchored in its
customer-centric focus and strategies, which are in place to
promote long term innovation in the business, in people and in
culture. Another asset underpinning sustainable growth is a
sophisticated and agile business model. This supports the Group by
fostering excellence and extending opportunities along the entire
value chain to communities and industry partners across the
world.
With an extensive retail network in Greater China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and the United States, and a fast-growing
e-commerce business, the Group is implementing effective
online-to-offline ("O2O") strategies to succeed in today's omni-channel retail environment.
1.2 Shanghai Diamond Exchange (www.cnsde.com)
Authorised by the State Council, the Shanghai Diamond Exchange
(SDE) is the only diamond exchange body in China; and provides diamond dealers a fair and
safe transaction venue under close supervision. It also enjoys a
favourable taxation policy and is operated in accordance with
international best practices of the diamond industry.
Established in 2000, the SDE is a non-profit, self-regulating
membership organisation and a member of the World Federation of
Diamond Bourses.
1.3 Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones -- DANAT
(www.danat.bh)
The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT) was
established in 2017, as an initiative of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown
Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister of
the Kingdom of Bahrain. DANAT was
formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bahrain Mumtalakat
Holding Company (Mumtalakat), the sovereign wealth fund of the
Kingdom. DANAT evolved from the Pearl & Gem Testing Laboratory
of Bahrain (the first laboratory
of its kind in the region), which was established in 1990. It was
formed to expand upon and enhance the excellent work of the
laboratory, with the vision of becoming the world's preferred
institute for natural pearl and gemstone third-party verification
services and scientific research.
Currently, DANAT plays a vital role in protecting and enhancing
the public's trust in pearls, gemstones and jewellery. With its
offices located at the iconic Bahrain World Trade Centre, the
facility aims to establish itself as the window into international
markets, serving local and global clients, and bolstering the
reputation of the Kingdom as a leading centre for pearl and
gemstone expertise.
DANAT is an authority on industry standards, scientific
knowledge and education, and is committed to the highest standards
of professional and personal ethics. It is dedicated to supporting
the pearl and gemstone industry and offers training programmes
locally, regionally and internationally to a new generation of
gemmologists, industry professionals and gemmology enthusiasts.
2. About the Honoured Partners
2.1 KGK Group (www.kgkgroup.com)
The KGK Group was founded in 1905 by Kesrimal Kothari and
Ghisilal Kothari of Jaipur (India), to trade gemstones between
India and Burma. With a global presence across 15
countries today, the privately held
group has evolved into one of the most preferred brands in the
gemstone and jewellery industry, with a vertically integrated
operation. KGK is one of the few conglomerates covering the entire
spectrum of mining, sourcing, manufacturing and distribution of
coloured gemstones, diamonds and jewellery for over a century. KGK
Group has a resilient team of 12,000 employees with operations and
offices in Asia, North and
South America, Europe and Africa. Having achieved an impeccable
reputation in the gemstone, diamond and jewellery trade, the group
has recently diversified into real estate.
2.2 China Gems & Jade Exchange (www.csgje.com)
China Gems & Jade Exchange (CGJE) is a national gem and jade
trading platform approved by the State Council.
China Gems & Jade Exchange adheres to the principle of "Led
by Technology, Develop with Innovation", and using the latest
real-time traceability, big data, block chains, high-end
intelligent technology to solve various bottlenecks in the
development of the gemstone industry. At present, two platforms
have been built, namely, gemstone trading service platform and
intelligent supply chain service platform. CGJE has become the only
international gemstone trading service platform with full process
tracking service in the industry.
In line with the basic principles of " fairness, impartiality
and openness", China Gems & Jade Exchange combines the concepts
of "innovation, advancement and compliance" to provide high-quality
and professional third-party supporting trade services for jewelry
enterprises at home and abroad.
2.3 Guangdong Land (Shenzhen) Limited (www.gdland.com.hk)
Guangdong Land (Shenzhen)
Limited (GD Land (Shenzhen)) is an
indirect subsidiary of GDH Limited, the largest conglomerate from
the Guangdong Province that
operates outside of Mainland China. Headquartered in Hong Kong, GD Land (Shenzhen) is the listed company of GD Holdings
for its HOPSCA business. It has been listed on The Stock Exchange
of Hong Kong Limited with stock code: 00124 since 1997.
GD Land (Shenzhen) currently
has a number of upscale projects in the Pearl River Delta Economic
Zone, including Guangzhou Riverside Garden, Guangzhou Ruyingju,
Guangzhou Laurel House, Guangzhou Panyu Wanbo CBD Project,
Guangzhou Zhujiang New Town Project, Foshan Nanhaiheshun Project
and its flagship project, the Shenzhen GDH City.
The GDH City, a landmark HOPSCA comprised of grade-A office
buildings, an experiential shopping mall of around 120,000 m2, a
brewery heritage art street, a versatile space of 37-69 m2 and
quality apartment buildings. Situated in Shuibei Buxin Business
Circle in Shenzhen, the most
sophisticated and largest centre for gold and jewellery trade in
the country, the GDH City enjoys instant access to rich natural
resources and an expansive transportation network. Indeed, GDH City
allows one to enjoy fully everything it has to offer.
3. About Informa Markets (www.informamarkets.com)
Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist
markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio is comprised of
more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets
including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure,
Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality,
Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We
provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities
to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face
exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data
solutions. As the world's leading exhibitions organiser, we bring a
diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking
opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For
more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.
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SOURCE JNA Awards