J. Hunter Pearls from Savusavu has been selected as an Honouree in the Sustainability Initiative of the Year category of JNA Awards 2017.
The JNA Awards, organised by UBM Asia, is now in its sixth year.
It is a premier awards programme that recognises and celebrates excellence and achievement in the jewellery and gemstone industry, with a focus on the advancement of the trade in Asia.
This year, close to 100 highly qualified entries from 13 countries and regions, namely China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam, were received.
The categories that drew the most number of entries were the Industry Innovation of the Year, Brand of the Year – Retail and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Letitia Chow, Chairperson of the JNA Awards and Director of Business Development – Jewellery Group at UBM Asia, remarked, “It is very motivating to see another year with record-breaking entry numbers, with first-time entrants accounting for 22 percent of the applications.
Nowadays, companies have to innovate, not only to thrive, but to survive.
The impact of innovation is evident in different aspects of a business, including marketing, supply chain management, gem and metal technologies, product development and business strategies.”
Justin Hunter said: “We are very excited and honoured to become a JNA Awards Honouree, which is a significant achievement in itself.
“We do not only view this as a prestigious endorsement of our business, but an acknowledgment of our commitment to excellence, responsible and ethical business practices, and innovation.”
The 2017 independent judging panel consists of industry experts namely:
ν Albert Cheng, Advisor to the World Gold Council, Far East (WGC)
ν James Courage, former Chief Executive of Platinum Guild International and former Chairman of the Responsible Jewellery Council ν Lin Qiang, President and Managing Director of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE)
ν Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in India and the Middle East
ν Yasukazu Suwa, Chairman of Suwa & Son, Inc of Japan; and Mark Lee, Research Director of Asia Pacific Institute for Strategy (APIFS).
The full list of Honourees is available on the JNA Awards website www.JNAawards.com.
This year’s JNA Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner will be held on Thursday, 14 September, at the InterContinental Hong Kong.
(Source: J.HUNTERS PEARLS FIJI 17 July 2017)
