The Congress Venue
 

Hong Kong is the venue of the CIBJO Congress 2005. Flanked by the South China Sea and Mainland China , the island city covers an area of slightly more than 1,000 square kilometres, but is an economic power on a world scale. While it functions as Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China , Hong Kong enjoys a enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defence affairs. Economically, it acts as a gateway to much of Southeast Asia , and particularly to the Chinese mainland. According to the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department (CSD), the city's precious jewellery exports in 2003 stood at U.S. 2.23 billion, 17 per cent more than in 2002. During the first five months of the 2004, a 20 per cent increase in precious jewellery exports was registered, when compared to the same period in 2004.

The host of the CIBJO Congress 2005 is the Hong Kong Jewellery Manufacturers' Association (HKJMA) , which is today one of the largest professional organizations active in the worldwide jewellery sector. Created in 1988, with 60 jewellery manufacturers registered as founding members, in January 2005 the organisation counted 342 jewellery manufacturers as members. Among the aims of the HKJMA is to service the interest of jewellery manufacturers in Hong Kong , by promoting their products in the consumer marketplace and by enabling them to better compete internationally.

The CIBJO Congress 2005 will take place in the Island Shangri-La, http://www.shangri-la.com/island which is located in the heart of Hong Kong , looking over the city and its famous harbour. With direct access to Pacific Place , the island's most prestigious shopping and entertainment complex, the Island Shangri-La is consistently voted as finest hotel in the world. (Click here to download a hotel registration form.)