YANGON, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- An International gems and jewelry fair kicked off in Myanmar's Yangon Wednesday, putting on sale processed gems through sealed-bid auction.

The four-day fair is organized by Yangon's Myanmar Gems and Jewelry Entrepreneurs Association with the support of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation.

U Phyo Min Thein, Chief Minister of Yangon region, praised the efforts of Gems and Jewelry Entrepreneurs Association (Yangon) in promoting the country's gems and jewelry industry.

More exhibitions and fairs for other sectors will be held this year, aiming to attract more foreign visitors to Yangon, the chief minister added.

The fair is the second event of its kind after the first held in January last year, with the aim to boost the country's gems and jewelry trade as well as to develop the local market.