World Diamond Conference in Delhi, India news 09.12.2014: Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to address World Diamond

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to address World Diamond Conference in Delhi 



Diamond Miners, Retailers, Luxury brands, Global Trade Associations and Bankers to Deliberate on the Marketing and Financing of the Global Diamond Industry and the Industry's Challenges, December 11 and 12, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi



The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), the apex body of the gems and jewellery trade in India, in association with the World Diamond Mark Foundation (WDMF) and with the support from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, is organizing the first ever-global congregation of diamond industry leaders in India at the "World Diamond Conference" in New Delhi on December 11 and 12, 2014 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, India.


Pegged as a highly momentous and magnanimous conclave in the diamond industry worldwide, H.E. Vladimir Putin, Hon. President of Russia and Shri. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister India are expected to attend the inaugural function on December 11, 2014.
 

An impressive roster of national and international industry leaders of the diamond, banking, jewellery and luxury industry will be convening in Delhi, India, December 11 and 12 to discuss and deliberate the future consumer market make-up for polished diamonds and diamond jewellery, and to understand what tools and measures are needed to enthuse new generations of consumer for diamonds.
 

Commenting on GJEPC's landmark initiative for global diamond trade, Vipul Shah, Chairman of Gem & Jewelry Export Promotion Council said, "India is the major diamond polishing hub and Russia which is poised to spend significantly in diamond exploration in the future, are Natural Diamond Partners and expected to gain enormously with the direct partnership proposed by the industry.


The visit of H.E. Vladimir Putin, Hon. President of Russia to India during the World Diamond Conference is of great significance and we are hopeful that the GOI accepts our proposals for Direct Sourcing and a Special Notified Zone in India and announce the revised structure at this forum".
 

With an increasing share of global exploration spending being invested in Russia; which stands at 54 percent (2013) from 27 percent (2011) has triggered a renewed focus on trade relations between India and Russia. The MoU on 'Direct Sourcing of Rough' between ALROSA and India is expected to be signed during this conference, giving an edge to Russia over other countries such as Dubai and Antwerp.
 

The conference will dedicate its first day solely to the various aspects of marketing diamonds and diamond jewellery. Ernedt Blom, President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB); Maxim Shkadov, President of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA), and Edward Asscher, President of the World Diamond Council (WDC), will address the session at the opening of Day I, presenting a global perspective on the diamond industry while Rajiv Mehta from Dimexon, will present on Indian trade.
 

Among the diamond miners who will first be offering their perspectives will be Stephen Lussier, Executive Director of the De Beers Group of Companies; Ilya Ryaschin, Acting President, and Andrey Polyakov, Vice President of Alrosa; Jean Marc Lieberherr, CEO of Rio Tinto Diamonds; and Antonio Carlos Sumbula, CEO of Endiama, Angola.
 

Government officials who will address the conference  include Mr. Walter K. Chiadkwa, Minister of Mines and Mining Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe; Advocate Ngoako Ramatlhodi, Minister of Mineral Resources, Republic of South Africa; Mr. Anup K. Pujari, secretary of Ministry of Mines.
 

Alex Popov, Chairman of the WDMF, will present the joint industry marketing strategy and initiative, followed by the insights of the world's oldest jewellery brand -Mellerio dits Meller by President Emilie Mellerio.
 

They will be followed by a panel of eminent jewellers from retail, who will contribute on "Crossing the last mile - Excellence in Retailing." Wong siu-Kee Kent, Managing Director of Chow Tai Fook, Hong Kong; Oded Edelman Founder and CEO of R2Net (James Allen, USA); Darshan Mehta President and CEO of Reliance Brands, India; and Karim Merchant Group CEO & MD of Pure Gold, Dubai, UAE.
 

The second day will commence with Opening Remark of Rajiv Kher, Commerce Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, followed by a session on "Financing the diamond trade in challenging times," with the participation of R. Gandhi, RBI Deputy Governor; Erik Jens of ABN AMRO; Kishore Lall, Standard Chartered Bank; Howard Davies, head of commercial development of the De Beers Group; Mr. Hasmukh Adhia, secretary financial services, Government of India.
 

Representatives of leading luxury brands, such as C K Venkataraman of Titan; Rami Baron, Board Member of World Diamond Mark will share their insights and advice. A panel discussion of all global trade associations such as Stephane Fischler, President of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC); Vipul Shah; Anoop Mehta, President of the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB); Maxim Shkadov; Edward Asscher; Avi Paz, Israel Diamond Institute (IDI), would discuss on international trade concerns. Ronnie Vanderlinden, president of the Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association of America (DMIA); Saunak Parikh (GJEPC) and Siddharth Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, will conclude the two-day conference.
 

The World Diamond Conference in India will be held in Vigyan Bhawan New Delhi December 11-12, 2014.
 
  

- Almor Ya'akov -