The ICA Board of Directors announced that the 2007 ICA Congress will be held in Dubai, April 28-May 2, 2007. The Congress will be sponsored by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC). The aim of the Congress will be to bring experts in the region to provide knowledge and expertise for ICA members on conducting business in Dubai, the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia. At the same time ICA is in a unique position to bring education on colored gemstones to Dubai and will work with local organizations on promoting colored gemstones there. ICA Executive Director Barbara Lipatapanlop was in Dubai recently to speak at the 4th Dubai City of Gold Conference and found a great number of conference delegates interested in gemstones.

�Dubai is of great interest to ICA members as it has a solid jewelry manufacturing base and because it has great potential in the consumer market for colored gemstones,� stated ICA President Joseph Menzie. �The business opportunities there are vast and with the government initiatives developing Dubai as a mega trading center, we will hear more and more about conducting business in and from Dubai,� commented Menzie.

Gaiti Rabbani, Chief Marketing Officer, DMCC, said: �We are delighted to partner with ICA to host the prestigious ICA Congress in Dubai. DMCC is exerting a focused effort on the colored stones industry in the region and has launched several projects facilitating trade and certification aimed at further developing the market. The ICA Congress in Dubai will further enhance business opportunities for this growing sector.� The host of the Congress, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, is a strategic initiative of the Dubai government created to establish a commodity marketplace in Dubai providing industry-specific market infrastructure and a full range of facilities for the gold and precious metals, diamonds and colored stones, energy and other commodities industries. DMCC is also a free zone authority offering 100% business ownership, a guaranteed 50 year tax holiday and freehold property options to market participants. In connection with the Congress, the ICA will also host its biennial International Poster Competition. Winners of the Poster Competition will be announced at the Congress in Dubai.