The Year to Come

Did 2022 bring anything new to AFEMO?
The year we have left behind surprised us in terms of positivity and the widespread presence of our technologies on the domestic and international market. Our products can be found either through direct sales or authorized distributors in every country where jewelry is produced. Despite the uncertainties caused by the restrictive measures due to Covid-19, our technology was able to successfully manage the challenges even during the pandemic, always putting the health and safety of our employees and customers first. In short, we demonstrated agility and resilience in ensuring business continuity and the usual market presence of our products to meet manufacturers' needs. Not surprisingly, sales increased on average thanks to growth in specific markets, such as France, Germany, Indonesia, the Middle East and many others, and to the consolidation of market shares almost everywhere. The Association supported its promotion strategy by attending events in Dubai, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh and Cairo. These investments are representative of our approach which aims at constant improvement in the quality of services offered to our members.

Are there any new projects and horizons in the pipeline for 2023? What has the war meant and how is the industry reacting?
Beyond all rhetoric, starting the year with a high-level T.Gold means being able to plan our production activities for the whole year in the best possible way. We will continue to invest in high-potential markets, such as South East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, without ever neglecting our established markets. The new year could mark the return of gold and silver: the modest weakness of the US dollar, the apparent spike in real interest rates and growing consumer demand will support the prices of the two precious metals. In 2023, the price of gold could rise again. There will be no decline in silver. The war in Russia will weigh on the performance of palladium because it is also used in the aviation, chemical, electrical and glass industries. However, sanctions on Russia, which alone produces 60% of global supply, could create further supply chain blockages in the short term.

AFEMO and IEG, a fruitful collaboration that is being renewed. How and in which direction?
The continual consolidation of our collaboration with IEG is the result of a journey that began several years ago, a path that has taken our community from a “second-rate” area to a strategic and central position in terms of all the projects involving Vicenzaoro. We hope that future property investment plans will finally take T.Gold to a hall that fully represents the quality of the technologies it offers.