The organiser of the JNA Awards, the most prestigious awards event to recognise and honour excellence and achievement in the jewellery and gemstone trade, is delighted to announce the addition of two industry veterans to the judging panel – Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in India and the Middle East, and Vichian Veerasaksri, Director of The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) and Advisor to the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA). (From left) Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director of GIA in India and the Middle East, and Vichian Veerasaksri, Director of The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) and Advisor to the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA) Bhatt and Vichian will be joining a panel of industry experts comprising Albert Cheng, Managing Director of the World Gold Council, Far East (WGC); James Courage, Chief Executive Officer of Platinum Guild International (PGI) and Lin Qiang, President and Managing Director of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE). The second edition of the JNA Awards is led by Rio Tinto Diamonds and Chow Tai Fook as Headline Partners, with Gubelin, Israel Diamond Institute, KARP Group, Robert Wan Tahiti and the SDE as Honoured Partners.
"We are delighted to welcome two more accomplished business leaders from the industry as judges to the JNA Awards 2013," said Letitia Chow, founder of JNA and Director of Business Development – Jewellery Group at UBM Asia.
Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director of GIA in India and the Middle East, commented, "The JNA Awards is a prestigious event in the jewellery world. We are pleased to see such high interest and response from the industry." Bhatt has taken GIA services to over 40 locations in India, the Middle East and Turkey. She has received several global honours for her contributions to the gemstone and jewellery industry. Bhatt is a member of the Board of Directors of the All India Gem and Jewellery Trade Federation (GJF) and Gem and Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI). She is also an invitee to the marketing committee of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).
"It is an honour to join a judging panel composed of esteemed industry experts for the JNA Awards 2013. This is an important occasion in the jewellery and gemstone industry, and we are seeing many high-quality entries from all over the world," added Vichian Veerasaksri, Director of CIBJO and Advisor to TGJTA. Vichian served as Director and Secretary General of TGJTA; Director and Secretary General of the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) and Chairman of ICA Congress Thailand in 1987 and 2005; President of CIBJO Colored Stone Commission from 2004 to 2011 and Chairman of CIBJO Congress Thailand in 2004. The JNA Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner will be held on 12 September 2013, Thursday, at The Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong. Tickets to the ceremony and gala dinner are now on sale.
