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
Industry Innovation of the Year - Marketing
Industry Innovation of the Year – Technology
Manufacturer of the Year
Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – APAC
Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – EMEA
Retailer of the Year
Sustainability Initiative of the Year
Young Entrepreneur of the Year (age 40 and below)
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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