Fast-expanding international gem lab eyes two more Greater China offices to add to the five it’s already opened in just three years
HONG KONG, Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Aiming to add two more Greater China operations to the five it opened in the last three years, leading international Gem Lab EGL Asia once again revved up its F1™ simulator to test visitors’ skills at this week’s September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair which opened Monday.
Since the launch of its EGL F1™ Challenge Campaign in 2009 at the September show, the F1™competition has become EGL Asia’s signature motif signifying its fast and accurate gemological grading services. The company established its headquarters in Hong Kong in May 2008 and quickly opened offices in Shanghai (June 2009), Taipei (July 2010), Shenzhen (September 2010) and Fuzhou in May of this year. “Whether on the mainland or Taiwan, the diamond market has been growing fast – both in size and, very important, sophistication,” explained EGL Asia CEO Joseph Kuzi.
In China, EGL Asia provides world standard gemological grading services for the jewelry trade with leading Chinese lab NGGC, headquartered in Shanghai. The partnership issues dual certificates, recognized both internationally and by the Chinese government. It also provides certification services for colour stone and jade, a unique offering in China among international labs.
Consumer education will be vital if China’s gem industry is to stay on a healthy growth track, Mr Kuzi said, especially as business expands into the country’s interior. “Many international jewelry merchants are already aware of demand beyond the first-tier cities,” he said.
“Demand for services offered jointly with our partner has been tremendously encouraging, and for that reason, I believe EGL Asia’s expansion will put us ahead of our international peers,” Mr Kuzi added. “We’re now looking at opening offices in Harbin and Dalian to offer our dual certification services to both the jewelry trade and consumers at large.”
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