YANGON, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar is striving for the expansion of its gems market, introducing domestically several gems emporiums annually and joining international gem shows occasionally.

    In recent years, Myanmar have sought attendance of gems shows in China, Thailand and Sri Lanka to display the country's quality jade, ruby, sapphire and pearl in the international shows to attract more foreign traders.

    In July this year, Myanmar gems merchants took part in a gem show of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province.

    Later this month, Myanmar will also take part in another five-day ASEAN gem show scheduled to launch in Bangkok, Thailand.

    On the occasion of the forthcoming 6th China-ASEAN trade fair slated for next month in Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China, a total of 70 Myanmar gems companies will head for the event.

    Moreover, Myanmar is also seeking gem trade with Sri Lanka, participating in some gem shows held in Colombo, capital of Sri Lanka for the market expansion.

    In another endeavors of its gem market expansion, Myanmar eyes the United Arab Emirates and Oman, planning to launch gem shows there within three years.

    Myanmar's gem market in Asia seems to have not been much affected by the global economic downturn as seen by observers as the country's gems and jewelry stand high in demand among the Asian countries.

    Myanmar, a well-known producer of gems in the world, boasts ruby, diamond, cat's eye, emerald, topaz, pearl, sapphire, coral and a variety of garnet tinged with yellow.

    The country started to hold gem shows at home annually in 1964,introducing the mid-year one in 1992 and the special one in 2004.

    The authorities designated the proceeds from the sale of gems at these emporiums as legal export earning to encourage the private sector in the development of the gem industry.

    In March this year, an annual gems emporium, which was the 46th,was held in Yangon on the basis of competitive bidding. In the emporium, more than 5,000 jade lots were displayed and 191 million U.S. dollars worth gems and jewelry were sold out.

    The event was attended by over 2,300 foreign traders mostly from China and China's Hong Kong.

    The gem merchants attending the show are mainly from Asian countries of China, China's Hong Kong, China's Taiwan and Singapore.

    In June this year, a special Myanmar gem emporium again attracted more than 3,000 foreign gem traders, registering the highest number of visitors compared with the last few years' and the proceeds from it amounted to 292 million dollars.

    Meanwhile, the country will launch another mid-year gems emporium here in October-November this year to encourage local private gem traders to sell more quality items of gems, jade, pearl and jewelry.

    Without specific date set, the 18th Mid-Year Myanmar Gems Emporium will take place at the Myanmar Convention Center.

    In the latest development, Myanmar will hold its biannual pearl auction for the first time in the country's largest gems museum newly built in new capital of Nay Pyi Taw in late this month.

    The three-day auction, which runs from Sept. 23 to 25, is expected to draw increased number of local pearl traders from two major cities of Yangon and Mandalay.

    Myanmar cultures about 400,000 units of pearls every year from eight pearl farms in the country with investment from Australia, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, China and Thailand, according to report.

    Myanmar's ruby, diamond, cat's eye, emerald, topaz, pearl, sapphire, coral and pearl gain reputation in the world market.

    The government's Central Statistical Organization revealed that in the fiscal year 2008-09, Myanmar produced 32,921 tons of jade and 18,728 million carats of gems which include ruby, sapphire, spinel and peridot, as well as 201,081 mommis (754 kilograms) of pearl.

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