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Press Release: Expert panels discussed the most important issues facing the global diamond industry on the concluding day of the two-day Dubai Diamond Conference 2015, with topics on synthetic diamonds, ethics and diamond financing. Peter Meeus, the chairman of the Dubai Diamond Exchange, said, “Each panel throughout both days was attended by an audience of more than 150 people and the feedback we received was extremely positive. We aimed to encourage discussion among the leaders of the diamond industry to meet the challenges of the future and we are happy to have succeeded in that.” The second day of the conference began with a panel discussion on the subject of ethics, NGOs and business. Panel members were Christine Gordon, the former UN Consultant; Ola Bello, the head of GARP of the South African Institute of International Affairs; Shamiso Mtisi, a member of the Kimberley Process civil society coalition and head of programs at ZELA; Edward Asscher, the president of the World Diamond Council and Alex Yearsley, the director of Martello Risk.
The second panel of the morning addressed the topic synthetic diamonds: Problem or Not at All? The high-level participants included Asscher, Ernest Blom, the president of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses; Marc Brauner, the co-CEO of IGI Worldwide; Sabyasachi Ray, the executive director of the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council; Audrey Tcherkoff, the general manager for the Middle East at Robert Wan and Russell Mehta, the managing director of Rosy Blue India. Panel members agreed that it was likely there would be an increase in synthetic diamond production in the coming years that could make up for some of the predicted shortfall in diamond supply expected in the coming decade. The first day ended with a panel discussing the challenges facing diamond jewelry retailers and the steps they can take to improve sales. The retail markets panel determined that all jewelers need a physical and an online operation to conduct business in today’s market. The panel members were: Amit Dhamani, the CEO of of Dhamani Jewels Group, Roberto Coin, the president of Roberto Coin, Vishal Mehta, the CEO of Dimexon, Karim Merchant, the group CEO of Pure Gold Jewelers and Vishal Mehta, the CEO of Dimexon. DMCC - Made For Trade DMCC is dedicated to enhancing Dubai’s position as the global gateway for commodity trade. The most successful markets create conditions that enable producers, traders and consumers to thrive. DMCC is a government authority committed to developing these ideal conditions for trade and enterprise. DMCC has a strong track record in commodity trade facilitation and we encourage and support business through the platforms we provide. These include our Free Zone, commodity exchanges, legal and regulatory frameworks and our strong real estate offering. As part of our DMCC Free Zone expansion strategy to provide large corporates with a commercial property offering unique to the Dubai marketplace – DMCC is developing the Burj 2020 District, with the world’s tallest commercial tower, the Burj 2020, as its centerpiece. www.dmcc.ae
The Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE) is a DMCC platform and a leading diamond center based in the Almas Tower. From buyers to sellers to service providers -- everything the industry require in terms of infrastructure and a marketplace is available under one roof in a secure environment at Almas Tower including: DDE, vaulting, boiling, polishing, certification, transport and logistics services and the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. Dubai’s strong leadership and vision has enabled the Emirate to quickly transform itself into a key link in the global transport and distribution system. Since its inception in 2002, DMCC has successfully established Dubai as the global gateway for commodities trade by building and enhancing its physical and financial infrastructure, regulatory standards, products and services, including the launch of the DDE and the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX). This has positioned Dubai as one of the world’s leading diamond centers.
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