More rooms for Thai gems and jewelry products in China

BANGKOK, December 4 (TNA) - The Ministry of Commerce says that there are more rooms for operators and exporters of Thai gems and jewelry products to expand their trade opportunities among middle-class and high-end customers in the immense Chinese market. Chantira Yimrawat Wiwatrat, Director-General of the ministry's Department of International Trade Promotion, told journalists on December 3 that she has been reported by the top Thai commercial envoy in Xiamen of China's southeastern Fujian Province that there are growing opportunities for the gems and jewelry trade in the immense Chinese market, thanks to increasing demand from local middle-class and high-end consumers. Chantira suggested that Thai operators and exporters of gems and jewelry focus on serving the demand of the local middle-class and high-end consumers with more purchasing power, rather than competing with local producers to cater for consumers in the lower-end market. Besides, Thai operators of gems and jewelry should develop their alliances or networks with their counterparts in China to expand their business opportunities and should join international gems and jewelry trade fairs to promote their business images and the reliability of their products. The senior official cautioned, however, that Thai operators and exporters of gems and jewelry products learn on taxations for the products in China, including import tariffs of 0-35 per cent, the value-added tax of 17 per cent and the levy on luxurious goods at 5-10 per cent in order to set their appropirate and profitable prices. The senior official announced that her department will also work together with other relevant agencies to help promote strong and outstanding points and designs with fineness and delicacy of Thai gems and jewelry products, as well as their sale in China, especially charming sapphire, ruby, topaz, opal, as well as red spinel and rose quartz. (TNA)