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Antwerp, Belgium – January 21, 2016: The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) is preparing for the 37th World Diamond Congress, the biennial meeting of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA), which will take place in Dubai from May 16 to 19. WFDB President Ernie Blom says the key themes of the meeting will be transparency, responsibility and sustainability which will be discussed by the WFDB’s 30 presidents and more than 200 representatives of the global diamond industry who are expected to attend. These include producers, diamond-mining countries and a range of service organisations, such as banks and labs.
“The World Diamond Congress is one of the most important gatherings of the global diamond trade,” said Blom. “It provides an opportunity for all the bourse presidents to present their views regarding critical issues that are on the industry’s agenda. We will also hear the opinons of stakeholders involved in different areas of the diamond pipeline – from mining firms and governments to leading banks and labs.
“Given the challenging conditions facing the diamond business, this year’s meetings will be all the more important. We will be discussing how to create sustainable, long-term growth in the diamond supply pipeline, while bearing in mind the need for transparency, the highest levels of ethical behaviour and corporate social responsibility.
“We also want to advance across-the-board support for generic marketing of diamonds via the WFDB’s World Diamond Mark initiative and to create stronger links with the Diamond Producers Association, and how to increase the diamond jewellery sector’s competitive position and share of the luxury consumer market. I urge all members of the diamond industry to register for this event as we continue to advance preparations for what I am sure will be an interesting, challenging and enjoyable event at the Almas Tower hosted by the Dubai Diamond Exchange,” Blom added.
WFDB President Ernie Blom
ABOUT THE WFDB:
The World Federation of Diamond Bourses has 30 affiliated bourse members and exists to protect the interests of affiliated bourses and their individual members, and also to further the amicable settlement or arbitration of disputes between individual members of the affiliated bourses and/or between affiliated bourses. The WFDB participates in the promotion of world trade and encourages the establishment of new diamond bourses. In 2012, it established The World Diamond Mark, a not-for-profit organization, to promote consumer desirability and confidence in diamonds.
Members of affiliated bourses pledge to uphold the traditions, principles of mutual trust, consideration and friendship which prevail among the members of the bourses world-wide. They also pledge themselves to abide by and hand down these principles and to ensure that they will forever serve as a basis in business relations between members of affiliated bourses.
