Dear Friends,
The summer is coming to a close, and the sunny holidays are becoming lovely memories. September and with it a full return to routine is around the corner.
As you all know, the G7 is determined to limit the supply of Russian diamonds in the pipeline by the end of the year. There is much talk and speculation about when and how this will take place. I would like to inform you that the WFDB is working closely with the World Diamond Council to create a system of self-regulation by the diamond industry that we believe would be acceptable to the G7. Together with the WDC and other organizations we are working to find a solution that will avoid harm to the industry. We will provide more information about this system as it becomes available.
In the next few weeks many of us will be kicking off the season at the Jewellery and Gem WORLD Hong Kong from September 18 – 24. The show, which will be celebrating its 40th anniversary, is gearing up for a full return this year in two venues as before. We hope that the organizers’ expectations for a great show will come true.
To mark this special year, the organizers will be presenting the Extraordinary 40 (E40) Awards, to “40 individuals who have made a significant impact on the jewellery industry and continue to shape its future today.” I am very proud to say that I have been chosen as one of these award winners. Along with me, the heads of some of our member bourses – Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Lin Qiang and Lawrence Ma – have also been chosen, as have many of the most important figures in our industry today.
As we begin the new season, let us all hope that the economy in major markets will improve and that the demand for polished diamonds will return to the previously high levels.
Best regards,
Yoram Dvash
