Diverse Range of Speakers Lined up for World Diamond Congress

(IDEX Online News) – The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) has announced the line-up of speakers from throughout the diamond pipeline for the upcoming World Diamond Congress in Dubai.

The keynote speaker, Geshe Michael Roach, is a non-traditional teacher of Buddhism and also a philanthropist whose best-selling book, The Diamond Cutter is on Buddhism and business.

ABN Amro Bank's Head of Diamond and Jewelry Clients, Erik Jens, De Beers Head of Commercial Development, Howard Davies, and Signet Jewelers Vice-President of Corporate Affairs, David Bouffard, will also appear as speakers and panelists at the four-day gathering in Dubai.

WFDB president Ernie Blom said that the panel discussions would be crucial in discussing the optimum way to move the industry forward and creating new opportunities, while working in a transparent, responsible and sustainable manner – the three conference themes. He added that the range of speakers invited, reflected the need to hear from representatives of producers, diamond-mining countries, and a range of service providers, such as banks and laboratories. “It is absolutely crucial that we are able to comprehensively debate all the challenges facing our industry around the world,” Blom said.

The World Diamond Congress will take place in Dubai and run from May 16-19. It is thought that the WFDB’s 30 bourse presidents and more than 200 industry representatives will gather to discuss global diamond industry matters.