The city of Teófilo Otoni, located in the northeast of the State of Minas Gerais, has, over the 165 years of its history (1853-2018), stood out as a center for the commercialization and processing of precious stones. Due to its colonization by European immigrants, among them, a group of Germans from Idar-Oberstein in Germany, who knew well the techniques of gem cutting.
In Teófilo Otoni, they found many precious stones and, consequently, introduced the cutting techniques they already knew, thus starting the trade of this branch with the European continent. In the geological aspect, the city is located in the middle of the Brazilian Oriental Pegmatitic Province, thus becoming the largest commercial center in the region and a mandatory destination for all the precious stones produced in the mines.
One of the means developed for commercialization was the FIPP – Teófilo Otoni International Precious Stones Fair. Held annually in the city of Teófilo Otoni through a partnership between GEA – Associação dos Comerciantes e Exportadores de Gems e Joias do Brasil and the City Hall of Teófilo Otoni.
Currently, the organizers have the Expominas IV Convention Center in Teófilo Otoni, one of the most modern convention and event centers in Minas Gerais. A wide and modern space where around 120 VIP stands and collective stands can be allocated, in addition to a food court and living space. Parking for more than 500 cars, area for shows, auditorium for 300 seated people.
Exhibitors from Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Piauí, Distrito Federal, Goiás, Tocantins, in addition to visitors and foreign exhibitors from Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Colombia, USA, Canada, Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Norway, Australia, India, China, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong.
Held 29 years ago, by the GEA-Association created to support traders who today work hard to hold the Fair that generates a direct commercial impact both in the local precious stones sector, as well as in other sectors of the regional economy. 
In 2019, FIPP will have 60 internal stands and 128 exhibition tables. Restaurant, living area, space for lectures, Workshop, APL space, launch parade and jewelry and semi-jewelry show, contest for best lapidary, design, cutting and innovation, writing contest for municipal and state schools (to show that through education, we can make our children aware of how valuable our city and our region is).
During the FIPP period, the city of Teófilo Otoni receives a large number of visitors, for the most expected and traditional International Fair in the city and in the country, where all the hotels and restaurants in the city fill up. Taxes are paid to the municipality, businesses sell more products, the municipality's economy turns, extra money from visitors stays in the local economy.
Objectives:
- Valuing local culture;
- Contribute to the generation of income in the municipality;
- Provide education, good business, leisure and relaxation for the city's population.
- Transform FIPP into a national icon for sales of precious stones taken directly at the source.
- Strengthen Teófilo Otoni's APL.
- Bring work and education through specific courses for the area.
Specific objectives:
- Valuing the work of stonecutters, merchants, businessmen and exporters, miners and stonecutters in the city and region.
- Encourage the opening of companies to legalize informal work.
- Warm up trade, tourism and local hospitality during the event;
- Opportunity to generate employment for more than a thousand people, directly and indirectly during the event;
Source: GEA
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