The Asean Gems and Jewelry Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 14th September 20123, at the 50th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair. This pact for regional cooperation opens the way for the participating countries to work together in developing the gems and jewellery industries of the Southeast Asian Region, particularly in regard to the Asean Economic Community which goes into operation in 2015, and which will constitute a single market and a single production base.

The pact follows an initiative of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association, and its President, Mr Somchai Pornchindarak, to convene the First Asean Gems and Jewelry Presidents’ Summit Plus Six in September. The Asean Gems and Jewelry Cooperation pact is the first step toward new and unprecedented levels of cooperation that could establish the Region as a major contender in global gems and jewellery production and trading.

The following is the text of the pact:

Memorandum of Understanding

ASEAN Gems and Jewelry Cooperation

This Memorandum of Understanding of ASEAN Gems and Jewelry Cooperation (hereinafter called “MoU”) is entered at the 1st ASEAN Gems and Jewelry Presidents’ Summit Plus Six on September 14, 2012, by and between the parties (hereinafter called “Parties”) listed below who possess the same ideology of promoting our gems and jewellery industries to the world progressively and sustainably.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties to this MoU are to the following:

Article 1: Purpose

As we, the 10 countries in ASEAN+6, are soon to be incorporated into the AEC in 2015, we should prepare to utilize the existing strengths of our respective countries’ gems and jewellery infrastructure and related industries for our mutual benefit.

Article 2: Role and Responsibility

(1). To promote and support the integrity of the private sector and cooperate with both private and public organizations to develop the gems and jewellery industry, inclusive of precious metals, within ASEAN+6.

(2). To create unity and a network among member countries or the development and further higher value added potential for raw materials, human resources, gemmological laboratories, public relations and marketing.

(3). To deliberate and propose guidelines to solve and trade barriers in ASEAN+6.

(4). To cooperate in technological transfer, statistical information provision etc. This is to lead ASEAN+6 to conform to a single market and production base in the upcoming AEC in 2015.

(5).To offer an opportunity for the Parties to meet each other and exchange ideas and information through this 1st ASEAN Gems and Jewelry Presidents’ Summit Plus Six on an annual basis, or otherwise by mutual agreement, and by taking turns to be the host country.

(6). This cooperation will not be concerned with or otherwise involved in any political activities.

(7). The Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association, in cooperation with the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), who organizes the Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair biannually will allocate space for the Parties to exhibit in the fair. If any of the Parties organize gems and jewellery fairs in their own countries, then appropriate space allocation will also be applied.

(8). If there are any factors which impedes this activity, the Parties will discuss the situation amicably to solve the problem.

This MoU shall not be legally binding upon the Parties and is intended to solely express understanding among all the Parties regarding the subject matter herein.

This MoU is made in English in 15 copies and each of the Parties will hold one copy.

In witness whereof, the Parties have given their signatures hereunder on September 14, 2012, at Impact Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok, Thailand.

Signed by:

• Mr Seun Sotha, Advisor to Ministry of Commerce and Director of Trade Promotion Department, Cambodia.

• Mr Oudet Souvannavong, Vice Prsident, Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lao.

• Mr Ng Yih Pyng, President, Federation of Goldsmiths and Jewellers Association of Malaysia, Malaysia.

• Mr Yong Mu, Vice Chairman, Myanmar Gems and Jewellery Entrepreneurs Association, Myanmar.

• Mr Abelardo Abnel Mondonedo, Director of External Affairs, Philippine Association of Pearl Producers / Exporters, Philippines.

• Mr Ho Nai Cheun, President, Singapore Jewellers Association, Singapore.

• Mr Somchai Phornchindarak, President, Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association and The Gems, Jewelry and Precious Metal Confederation of Thailand, Thailand.

• Dr Ngoc Dung Le, Chairman, Vietnam Gemstone Jewelry and Art Crafts Association, Vietnam.

• Mr Cheng Bing-hai, President, Shanghai Gold & Jewellery Trade Association, China.

• Mr Charles Chan, President, Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association, Hong Kong.

• Mr Rajiv Jain, Chairman, The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, India.

• Mr Nirmal Kumar Bardiya, President, The Jewellers Association Jaipur, India.

• Mr Tomoyuki Hori, Chairman, Japan Jewellery Association, Japan.

• Mr Hwang Jae Lee, Chairman, Korea Federation of Jewelry Manufacturers Association, Korea.

• Mr Suwipan Thisyamondol, Deputy Director-General, Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, Thailand (witness).