The World Diamond Conference was opened in New Delhi. The conference coincided with the state visit to India of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They are both expected to attend this event organized by the Indian Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and the World Diamond Mark Foundation (WDMF) with the support of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India.
Opening the conference, GJEPC Chairman Vipul Shah said that the main goal facing the diamond industry is to ensure the future growth of the share, which diamonds and diamond jewelry occupy in the luxury market and that this two-day conference is to focus on the all-important issue of growing consumer demand.
“I hope that this platform can come up with a concrete plan as to how we can proceed at pooling our efforts towards what is ultimately a singular goal – that of growth at the retail end, so that the entire pipeline remains healthy,” Vipul Shah said.
He described the achievements of the Indian diamond industry and informed the conference participants that the GJEPC submitted a wish list to the Indian government containing proposals to improve the situation in the domestic diamond industry including, among other things, the creation of a Special Notified Zone so that India’s trading activities get a push. “We are deeply grateful to the Government of India and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that the Special Notied Zone proposal has been accepted in principal,” the GJEPC Chairman said.
Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Indian Bureau, Rough&Polished
