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RAPAPORT... The Panama Diamond Exchange appointed Dirk Blommaert as its business development director, a newly created role to advance the position of the Panama Gem & Jewelry Center worldwide. Blommaert will also promote the bourse across Latin America as the region's principal trading center for diamonds, colored gemstones and jewelry. Blommaert is a 20-year veteran of the gemstone and jewelry business and led promotional efforts for the trade in Antwerp, Baselworld and the International Gem Tower in New York. More recently, he has focused on developing business-to-business events for Antwerp diamond companies under the umbrella of ACTYF, in developing diamond markets such as Brazil, Russia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Turkey. "We are fortunate to have an individual with Dirk's knowledge and experience joining an excellent team, headed by Panama Diamond Exchange president Erez Akerman," said Eli Izhakoff, the founding chairman of the exchange. "He is charged with interacting with jewelry manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers in Latin America to position the Diamond Exchange and the new Panama Gem & Jewelry Center as the principal gemstone and jewelry hub for the entire region. This will be done simultaneously with our international industry campaign to promote the Panama Diamond Exchange and the Panama Gem & Jewelry Center as the gateway to Latin America." Blommaert scheduled road trips to Brazil from August 4 to 10, Argentina from August 11 to 14 and plans trips to Colombia in September, Mexico in October and Bolivia in November.
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