NAIROBI, KENYA – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 January 2026 – Swiss-Belhotel International, has signed a management agreement for The Gama by Swiss-Belhotel, Kilimani, Nairobi, with Albushra Real Estate Limited, marking the global debut of its newest brand concept and underscoring the group’s strategic expansion across Africa. The latest signing builds on the group’s established presence in East Africa, where Swiss-Belhotel International operates multiple properties.
Mr. Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President – Operations & Development, EMEA and India, Swiss-Belhotel International and Dr. Sheikh Mohamed Shakul, CEO of Albushra Real Estate Limited
Scheduled to open within the next 12 months, The Gama by Swiss-Belhotel, is strategically located in Kilimani, one of Nairobi’s most dynamic and sought-after districts. It features 155 well-appointed guest rooms, complemented by an extensive range of lifestyle and business facilities, including two food and beverage outlets, a fully equipped gym, a rooftop swimming pool, a dedicated ladies’ sauna, and expansive ballroom and meeting facilities.
Dr. Sheikh Mohamed Shakul, CEO of Albushra Real Estate Limited, said: “The Gama by Swiss-Belhotel represents a bold and future-focused development for Nairobi. Our vision was to create a modern hospitality and lifestyle destination that reflects the energy of the city while meeting the evolving expectations of today’s traveller. Partnering with Swiss-Belhotel International, with its global expertise and strong operational standards, ensures that this project will set a new benchmark in the market.”
Mr. Gavin M. Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel International, added: “The launch of The Gama by Swiss-Belhotel marks a significant milestone for our group as we introduce a new brand to our global portfolio. Africa continues to be a key focus market for Swiss-Belhotel International, and Nairobi, in particular, offers tremendous potential. This signing reflects our confidence in the city’s long-term growth and our commitment to delivering brands that are relevant, contemporary, and market-driven.”
Highlighting the strategic importance of the project, Mr. Laurent A. Voivenel, SVP – Operations & Development, EMEA and India, Swiss-Belhotel International, stated: “The Gama by Swiss-Belhotel has been carefully conceptualised to resonate with the next generation of travellers – those seeking authenticity, smart design, and social connectivity without compromising on comfort or service quality. This signing not only strengthens our footprint in Kenya but also underscores our broader expansion strategy across Africa and emerging markets.”
Colombo, Sri Lanka – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 January 2026 – From January 7 to 9, Gem Sri Lanka 2026 was successfully held at the Shangri-La Hotel in the heart of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Her Excellency Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, attended the official opening ceremony as the distinguished guest. From its beginnings as a specialized industry exhibition, GEM SRILANKA has grown into a landmark international event.
Gem Sri Lanka 2026 Concludes Successfully: Platinum Sponsor GUILD Propels Industry Growth
GEM SRILANKA is organized by the Ceylon Gem and Jewellery Traders Association (CGJTA).It has over 2,000 members covering key gem-producing regions in Sri Lanka, including Beruwala, Ratnapura, and Galle, providing a professional platform for gemstone industry professionals worldwide to network, collaborate, and explore the world of gemstones in depth.
The exhibition set new records in both scale and attendance
This edition of the exhibition featured a total of 150 booths, attracting a large number of local and international buyers. Mr. Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Industry and Enterprise Development of Sri Lanka; Rizwan Naeem, Vice Chairman of CGJTA,Mr. Andrew Lucas, President of GUILD Gemology Education and active field gemologist, Ms Ruby Liu, President of GUILD Gem Laboratories, and other distinguished guests attended the event.
At the Gem Sri Lanka 2026 gemstone exhibition, exhibitors comprehensively showcased their professional expertise across all stages of the gemstone industry value chain. Covering key areas such as mining, cutting, polishing, and heat treatment, the exhibition was guided by the core values of integrity and transparency, ensuring consistently high professional standards throughout. At the same time, this edition presented an immersive experience showcasing the long and diverse history of Sri Lanka’s gemstone industry, with detailed introductions to the country’s renowned sapphires and star sapphires. A dedicated premium exhibition zone was also curated to highlight exceptional sapphires and high-end colored gemstone collections.
According to data from GUILD Gem Laboratories, the number of gemstone samples submitted during the exhibition reached a new record high, directly reflecting the strong activity of the Sri Lanka trading market and further indicating a recovery trend in the global gemstone market at the beginning of the year.”The colored gemstone market in 2025 continues to evolve in terms of supply chains and color preferences. Although the market faced numerous supply-side challenges in 2024, against the backdrop of current conditions in the diamond market and rising gold prices, colored gemstones still demonstrate strong potential to gain increased market share.”Andrew Lucas noted in the opening of the GUILD 2025 Colored Gemstone Market Report.
Sri Lanka — a world-renowned gemstone trading hub
Sri Lanka has a thriving and highly valuable trade in precious and semi-precious gemstones, earning international recognition for its high-quality gemstones as well as its exceptional cutting and finishing craftsmanship. The gemstones produced in Sri Lanka consistently meet—and often exceed—the highest industry standards.
The country has long occupied a pivotal position in the global gemstone industry, serving as an integrated global hub encompassing mining, cutting, treatment, and trade. Buyers from major markets such as Japan, India, and China continue to travel to Sri Lanka, where they can observe the entire colored gemstone supply chain. Supported by a deep-rooted gemstone culture, extensive expertise, and an innovative mindset, Sri Lanka has developed a keen understanding of global market dynamics.
In recent years, by combining rough gemstone sourcing from Africa, Madagascar, and Southeast Asia with its renowned local cutting craftsmanship, Sri Lanka has further strengthened its position in the global gemstone industry.
GUILD Made a Dual-Booth Appearance at Gem Sri Lanka
As an internationally recognized gemstone testing authority, GUILD has long been committed to the study of field gemology, collecting A-type reference samples from major mining regions around the world to provide global industry professionals with accurate, authoritative, and efficient testing services. Since the inception of the exhibition, GUILD has served as a Platinum Sponsor of Gem Sri Lanka for three consecutive editions. At this year’s event, GUILD made its first-ever dual-booth appearance, featuring both GUILD Gem Laboratories and GUILD Gemology Education.
At the GUILD Gem Laboratories booth, a team of senior gemologists from GUILD Beruwala offered 24–48 hour rapid testing services to exhibitors and buyers, covering gemstone identification, treatment detection, and related services, providing reliable support for global gemstone trading and procurement. During the exhibition, the 2025 GUILD Colored Gemstone Market Report was also launched in limited quantities, serving as an important reference for industry trends and market direction.
Making its debut, the GUILD Gemology Education booth focused on the knowledge needs of professionals from both domestic and international markets, comprehensively presenting GUILD’s education and training programs as well as its overseas study tours. The booth showcased the English editions of Journey of Gems, professional color charts, and the combined volume of Microscopic Wonders: A Gemstone Inclusion Atlas, all of which were warmly received by industry professionals from around the world.
Focusing on a global perspective, driving the advancement of industry development
GUILD will continue to deepen its presence in the international gemstone market, leveraging its professional expertise to support the transparency and standardization of the global gemstone industry. Working together with industry peers, GUILD aims to explore new possibilities in source-origin trade and looks forward to even more highlights at the next edition of Gem Sri Lanka.
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