Lin Qiang, Biju Patnaik, Hidetaka Kato and Vichai Assarasakorn Join the 8-member JNA Awards Judging Panel

With the appointment of Lin, Patnaik, Kato and Vichai, the JNA Awards’ judging panel is now comprised of eight of the most recognised names in the global gemstone and jewellery industry.

Letitia Chow, Founder of Jewellery News Asia and Director of Business Development – Jewellery Group at UBM Asia, and the Chair of the judging panel said: “We are delighted that the judging panel for our inaugural event includes such illustrious names from the global gem and jewellery industry. The judges do not only represent key markets but also strategic areas of expertise.”

Chow continues: “To receive support from such recognised names is an encouraging sign of the guaranteed success of our inaugural event. The high number of entries, urging us to extend the entries’ deadline to 21 May, is also a good indication of the excellent feedback received from the industry.”

The final judging panel consists of eight judges:

Lin was a pioneer in the establishment of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange and has been the bourse’s President and Managing Director since 2000. He has devoted his career to the management of Shanghai Diamond Exchange, the only official diamond trading platform in Mainland China and the implementations of effective governmental policies for the country’s diamond industry.

Lin said: “To be invited to join the esteemed panel of judges of the first JNA Awards is a great mark of recognition. I will use my expertise and experience in the industry to give the most impartial judgment to ensure that the very best performing organisations or individuals are recognised.”

Patnaik is currently the Regional Head, Asia, International Diamond & Jewellery Group, ABN AMRO Group and is also the designated Country Executive of ABN AMRO Bank in India. He started his career with the State Bank Group in 1984 and since then has worked in various capacities including corporate and investment banking as well as management of bank branches in India. He has worked as Regional Manager, Asia for ID&JG for both ABN AMRO Group & RBS.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the judging panel of the inaugural JNA Awards.  It is such an important, meaningful and exciting project for the entire gem and jewellery industry and I am convinced of its success,” Patnaik mentioned.

Kato is one of Japan’s most recognised jewellery industry experts with a career spanning nearly six decades. He is the Honorary Dean of the Tokyo Diamond Exchange, past President of Japan Jewellery Association and past President of All Japan Jewellery Wholesalers Association. He started his career in 1954 at Mitsuwa Co Ltd, a leading gem and jewellery organisation and he then worked in New York at the Japan External Trade Organisation. In 1960, he entered Kashikei Shoten and was appointed President of Kashikey Co Ltd when the company was created in 1970. He took office as Chairman of Kashikey Co Ltd in 1986 and retired in 2011.

“I am delighted to have been invited to participate in the JNA Awards and chosen to be part of the prestigious panel of judges. I am looking forward to meet so many key players of the global jewellery industry at this significant event, and I am confident of its success in the long run,” Kato said.

Vichai has been active in the jewellery trade since the 1980s and serves on several leading trade authorities.  He is currently the Secretary General of The Thai Chamber of Commerce & Board of Trade of Thailand, President Advisor of The Thai Chamber of Commerce – Committee on Gems and Jewelry, and Vice-President of World Trading Company Limited and Group of Companies.  He is a pioneer in promoting Thailand’s jewellery trade, holding various leadership positions including President of The Thai Chamber of Commerce – Committee on Gems and Jewelry from 2003-2011, and President of the Thai Gems and Jewelry Traders Association from 2007-2011.

“I am honoured to be invited on the judging panel of such a prestigious event as the JNA Awards which is initiated by Jewellery News Asia, a leading publication in the jewellery industry.  This event endorses excellence in the Asian jewellery trade, recognises achievement and motivates trend setters and industry leaders around the globe,” declared Vichai.

Industry leaders Rio Tinto, Chow Tai Fook, Robert Wan Tahiti, Israel Diamond Institute and the Shanghai Diamond Exchangeare leading the event as JNA Awards 2012 (www.jnaawards.com) partners.

The JNA Awards is an industry-wide event that honours and recognises excellence and achievement in the Asian jewellery trade. The Awards ceremony and gala dinner will be held on September 20, 2012, during the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. The event, the first of its kind in Asia, is organised by Jewellery News Asia(www.jewellerynewsasia.com) of UBM Asia in collaboration with UBM Awards.

The awards are open for entries until May 21. Interested parties may obtain details on the categories, rules of entry, judging criteria and judging process by logging on to www.jnaawards.com.

Jewellery News Asia, first published in 1983, is the flagship magazine of UBM Asia’s (www.ubmasia.com) Jewellery Group. The publication is a leader in providing the latest industry updates and in-depth reports, covering the international jewellery trade with an Asia insight. Following its success, the publication launched its online edition, www.jewellerynewsasia.com in June 2011.