GJ Town India

  Report by ICA Ambassador to Belgium   According to the ICA report by Maxim Van Oppens, ‘After gradually easing out of lockdown we, like all countries, are experiencing a rise in Covid-19 cases. Currently Antwerp has the status of a high-risk area.’  As the gemstone and diamond trade primarily takes place there, the entire sector is heavily affected. Key differences in the trade in comparison to our last update derived. Mouth masks are recommended everywhere in Belgium and mandatory in Antwerp not only on public transport or inside buildings but whenever one steps outside. Shops are open, but only groups of maximum two persons may enter. Shoppers, who break that rule, get fined. Client visits in neighbouring countries is possible with a negative Covid-19 test. Clients prefer remote ways of purchasing their stones not only for commercial but for fine quality stones as well.  The decrease in spontaneous purchases is in not a small part compensated by rising average purchase numbers. C

  ICA reports on Thailand   ICA Ambassador Kennedy Ho reported on Thailand. His report says, in the beginning of January 2020, the gem business in Thailand was still good. Most dealers were expecting a good 2020. The first Covid-19 confirmed case emerged on 13 January 2020 and Thailand had the world’s first COVID-19 case outside of China.   After the Tucson fair in early February, we still managed to do the Bangkok Fair at the end of February. By that time, there were 42 confirmed cases in Thailand. Business sentiment was still good in early March but all of this started to change in the middle of March when COVID-19 cases shot up by over a hundred per day.   On 21 March, Bangkok City Hall authorities announced the Bangkok shutdown. Restaurants, department stores, markets, schools, barbershops, sports stadiums, golf courses, and massage parlors in Bangkok were closed temporarily. By 26 March, the Thai government declared a state of emergency. Most restaurants, stores, and enterta