The upcoming 37th World Diamond Congress, the biennial meeting of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA), is set to focus on financial issues affecting the industry.
Leading figures within the global trade tackling the subject of liquidity and financing matters will take part in a panel discussion on May 18, in which audience members will be encouraged to participate.
ABN Amro Bank’s Head of Diamond and Jewelry Clients, Erik Jens will speak on the issue of Key opportunities in financing the diamond and jewelry industry. De Beers’ Head of Commercial Development, Howard Davies will address the congress on Global financing options and requirements for the diamond industry. Jens and Davies will then take part in a panel discussion that will also include Signet Jewelers president of corporate affairs David Bouffard, and will be attended by the WFDB’s 30 bourse presidents and other exchange officials along with their IDMA counterparts and more than 100 diamond industry representatives from across the diamond pipeline.
The congress will also host the second in a series of the Dubai Diamond Exchange’s Dubai Diamond Finance Seminar – aiming to raise awareness of diamond financing options and how Dubai’s trade infrastructure and financial institutions can further support the diamond trade.
“For too long, industry members and the banks have not been on the same wavelength,” said WFDB president Ernie Blom.
“We aim to correct this for the good of both parties. This also fits in with the overall themes of the Congress: Transparency, Responsibility and Sustainability. We are moving ahead with a new era of way of working in all aspects and this will be clearly seen at the Congress.”
