One of the major economic zones in China has revealed a major increase in its overseas sales of jewellery, it has been reported.

Shenzhen, an economic zone in China's Guangdong province, has announced an 8.2 per cent increase in sales of jewellery overseas during the first eight months of 2006.

Demand for jewellery from the region has soared in recent times and it appears that the importance of platinum has had a significant impact on its sales.

According to China Economic Net, Shenzhen sold $310 million U.S. dollars worth of jewellery to Hong Kong, up 7.7 percent and $25.27 million worth of jewellery to the US during the first eight months of this year, representing a 10.8 per cent increase on the same period in 2005.

There are now 2,093 jewellery exporters in Shenzhen, 628 more than a year earlier and the industry as a whole in China is estimated to employ three million people.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd