World Diamond Conference is slated to take place in Delhi, India for the first time. The first ever-global meet of the diamond leaders in India is organised by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) in association with the World Diamond Mark Foundation (WDMF) and with the support from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GOI and powered by Al Rosa.

The conference is to be held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on 11 and 12 December, 2014. The inaugural function to be held on 11 December, 2014 is expected to be attended by H.E. Vladimir Putin, Hon. President of Russia and Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, India.

National and international industry leaders of the diamond, banking, jewellery and luxury industry will be convening in Delhi 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 initiative for global diamond trade, Vipul Shah, Chairman of GJEPC 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”.

The first day of the conference will be dedicated to the various aspects of marketing diamonds and diamond jewellery. Ernie Blom, WFDB president, Maxim Shkadov, IDMA president and Edward Asscher, President 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 at the event include Walter K. Chiadkwa, Minister of Mines and Mining Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe; Advocate Ngoako Ramatlhodi, Mining Minister, South Africa; Alex Popov, Chairman of WDMF will give a perspective of joint industry, marketing strategies 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 & CEO of R2Net (James Allen, USA); Darshan Mehta President & CEO of Reliance Brands, India; and Karim Merchant Group CEO & MD of Pure Gold, Dubai, UAE.

The second day will begin with Opening Remark of Rajiv Kher, Commerce Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India followed by 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 De Beers; Mr. Hasmukh Adhia, Secretary financial services, Govt. of India. Representatives of leading luxury brands, such as C K Venkataraman of Titan; Rami Baron, Member of World Diamond Mark will share their insights and advice.

A panel discussion of all global trade associations such as Maxim Shkadov (IDMA), Edward Asscher (WDC), Vipul Shah (GJEPC), Anoop Mehta (BDB), Avi Paz (IDI), Stephane Fischler (AWDC), would discuss on International trade concerns. Ronnie Vanderlinden (DMIA), Saunak Parikh (GJEPC) and Siddharth Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, will conclude the 2 Days conference.

Partners for the World Diamond Conference include ALROSA from RUSSIA as Powered by Partner, Shree Ramakrishna Exports as Gala Dinner Partner, Harikrishna Exports as Lunch Partner, and Co-Sponsors: Asian Star, Rosy Blue, Dimexon, Jasani Group, KGK Diamonds, Mahendra Brothers, Karp Impex, J.B.Brothers, Sheetal Manufacturing, Dianco, Jewelex, HRD.