International News
Russia and Belarus strengthen alliance to boost jewellery exports amid sanctions
In a strategic move to counter the economic impact of ongoing G7 sanctions, Russia and Belarus have announced a new collaborative effort aimed at promoting jewelry exports to non-Western markets, particularly China, the UAE, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian nations.
The agreement was formalized following a high-level meeting between Russia’s Deputy Finance Minister, Alexei Moiseyev, and Belarus’s Finance Minister, Yury Seliverstov, held in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. The initiative reflects a broader effort by both countries to pivot eastward, seeking new avenues of trade and economic cooperation outside the Western sphere.
Key Objectives of the Alliance:
- The primary focus of the collaboration is to significantly increase the export of jewelry crafted in Russia and Belarus to emerging and receptive markets in Asia and the Middle East.
- Both ministers discussed strategies to enhance e-commerce capabilities, aiming to make jewelry products more accessible to foreign consumers through digital platforms. The move is seen as essential to overcoming physical trade barriers and reaching wider global audiences.
- Another critical area of cooperation is the mutual recognition of state hallmark standards between Russia and Belarus. This will facilitate smoother cross-border trade, reduce administrative bottlenecks, and present a unified standard of quality to international buyers.
- According to BelTA, Belarus’s state news agency, Deputy Minister Moiseyev announced plans to launch a joint digital marketplace for Russian and Belarusian jewelry by the end of the year. The platform will debut in a test mode, serving as a centralized hub for international consumers and wholesale buyers.
- The initiative is receiving backing from the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) — a multilateral financial institution co-founded by Russia and Kazakhstan. The EDB’s involvement underscores the strategic importance of the project and is expected to provide essential financial infrastructure and investment support.
- The collaboration emerges against the backdrop of intensifying Western sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, which Belarus has publicly supported. Both countries have been progressively cut off from Western markets and financial systems, compelling them to seek alternative trade routes and alliances.
By focusing on high-value, non-sanctioned commodities such as jewelry, Russia and Belarus are looking to tap into the luxury consumption boom in Asia and the Gulf region. These markets are seen as more neutral or supportive of Moscow and Minsk’s geopolitical positions and are increasingly receptive to alternative sources of luxury goods.
The move signals a broader shift in trade strategy for both nations, away from reliance on traditional Western markets and towards building resilient economic partnerships within the Eurasian, Asian, and MENA regions. If successful, this jewelry export initiative could serve as a template for other sectors seeking to navigate the constraints of international sanctions.
Moiseyev emphasized that this collaboration was just the beginning of deeper economic integration and joint trade development between Russia and Belarus. With the launch of the e-commerce platform and increased outreach to Asia and the Middle East, the two nations are positioning themselves to not only preserve their industries under sanctions but also thrive in new markets.
International News
Vicenzaoro September 2026 Closes With Stronger International Footprint
The Five-Day Trade Show Recorded A 4% Increase In Total Visitors Compared With The September 2025 Edition, While International Attendance Rose By 9%.
Vicenzaoro September 2026 concluded on 8 September with further growth in visitor traffic and international participation, reinforcing its position as a key global meeting point for the jewellery, gemstones, precious metals and technology industries. Organised by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), the five-day trade show recorded a 4% increase in total visitors compared with the September 2025 edition, while international attendance rose by 9%.
The edition marked the first major presentation of the expanded Vicenza Expo Centre following the opening of the new Hall 2. The upgraded infrastructure, combined with the show’s Boutique Show format, brought the jewellery supply chain together under one roof—from manufacturing technologies and machinery at T.Gold to finished jewellery, gemstones, packaging and related services.
International attendance reaches new markets

Vicenzaoro attracted visitors from 136 foreign countries, a 4% increase compared with September 2025. Attendance from Europe grew by 9%, while non-European participation also rose by 9%, reaching 91 countries. Visitors from the United States increased by 2%.
The largest international visitor groups came from:
- The United Kingdom.
- Germany.
- China.
- India.
- Romania.
- Switzerland.
- Spain.
- Denmark.
- Colombia.
- Belgium.
The strongest growth in visitor numbers was recorded from South Korea, Singapore, Kuwait, South Africa, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Indonesia, Cyprus and Saudi Arabia.
India’s presence among the top five international visitor markets underlines the importance of the country to Vicenzaoro’s global strategy and reflects the continued strength of business links between Italian manufacturers and the Indian jewellery trade.
“This growth confirms the work carried out during the transitional editions when construction of the new Hall 2 was underway,” said Matteo Farsura, head of IEG’s Jewellery & Fashion division. He noted that international attendance has risen steadily since September 2024 and, boosted by T.Gold, is now 12% higher despite an increasingly complex global environment.
MAECI and ICE programme delivers 910 buyers
The show’s international business programme, organised in collaboration with Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the Italian Trade Agency, brought 700 hosted international buyers to Vicenza. A further 210 Italian buyers participated, taking the total number of hosted trade visitors to a record 910.
The buyers represented 73 countries and were reported to be 33% higher in number than at the September 2025 edition.
Farsura said the programme was designed not only to increase visitor numbers but also to identify buyers according to the profiles of exhibiting companies and the markets they serve. The network of approximately 70 Italian Trade Agency offices worldwide played a significant role in supporting the initiative.
New Hall 2 reshapes the exhibition
The opening of Hall 2 represented a significant milestone in IEG’s development of the Vicenza Expo Centre. The two-storey facility covers approximately 23,000 square metres and connects Halls 1, 3, 4 and 6, improving movement across the exhibition complex and creating a more integrated environment for exhibitors and visitors.
The expanded layout hosted 1,300 exhibiting brands from 40 countries, with international exhibitors accounting for 45% of the total. T.Gold, the specialised exhibition dedicated to jewellery manufacturing technologies and machinery, was brought inside the Expo Centre for the first time, strengthening the show’s ability to present the complete value chain in a single location.
In a period marked by uncertain demand, margin pressure and changing consumer expectations, the format enabled Vicenzaoro to combine commercial activity with a focus on innovation, production efficiency and future market trends.
CIBJO centenary adds global relevance
A major feature of the September edition was the centenary congress of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation. Led by President Gaetano Cavalieri, CIBJO brings together the international jewellery industry around standards, nomenclature, responsible business practices and consumer confidence.
Held in Vicenza to mark the organisation’s 100th anniversary, the congress attracted more than 600 delegates, including representatives of luxury groups, mining companies, retailers, laboratories and other parts of the global supply chain.
The congress addressed several of the industry’s most pressing issues, including sustainability, market transparency, the classification of natural and laboratory-grown diamonds and coloured stones, and the need to strengthen consumer trust. Its presence further positioned Vicenzaoro as a forum where businesses, associations and institutions can discuss the structural changes shaping the jewellery sector.
Networking remains central to the show
Beyond its exhibition and sourcing functions, Vicenzaoro continued to emphasise the value of professional relationships. The event provided a platform for companies, buyers, institutions, associations and international industry leaders to exchange views and develop new commercial connections.
This networking-led approach has become one of the show’s defining characteristics, allowing business discussions to extend beyond individual transactions to wider conversations on market development, technology, distribution and consumer behaviour.
The September edition also featured the ninth edition of VO Vintage, which brought together 53 selected exhibitors specialising in vintage and modern jewellery and watches. The event, open to the general public, combined sales with an educational programme featuring expert speakers and initiatives aimed at strengthening interest in watchmaking culture.
Broad industry support
Vicenzaoro’s strategic partners include MAECI and the Italian Trade Agency. Its international partners are CIBJO, GJEPC India, the Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association and Francéclat.
National partners include Confindustria Federorafi, Confcommercio Federpreziosi, Confartigianato Orafi, CNA Orafi, Club degli Orafi Italia, Confimi Industria’s Gold and Silver Category, Assogemme, Assocoral and AFEMO. The regions of Sicily and Campania also participated as institutional representatives.
IEG’s jewellery calendar will continue with JGTD—Jewellery, Gems and Technology in Dubai—from 27 to 29 October 2026. Italy’s jewellery industry will meet next at the Valenza Gem Forum on 22 October and the Italian Jewellery Summit in Arezzo on 3 December.
The next edition of Vicenzaoro and T.Gold will take place from 15 to 19 January 2027, while VO Vintage is scheduled for 15 to 18 January 2027.
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