5th Dubai City of Gold Conference to discuss all phases of supply chain and marketing to boost industry growth

The 5th edition of the Dubai City of Gold Conference, an initiative by the Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group and held in association with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, will see top industry leaders sharing their views on all aspects of the jewellery business from mining to retail to marketing, with a focus on forming policies that will help boost growth.

The conference will be inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates. Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khaled Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Economy and Planning, will speak at the opening session.

Commenting on the conference, Tawfique Abdullah, Chairman of Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group said: "Over the last five years, the Dubai City of Gold Conference has positioned itself as a forward looking global jewellery meet that has campaigned for innovative approaches like youth marketing and a unified jewellery federation, to boost global industry demand. The current edition will focus on the opportunities and challenges facing the industry worldwide. We have over 20 speakers addressing the entire gamut of the industry including jewellery, bullion, mining and refining, retail and marketing. This is the only conference of its kind to cater to all sectors of the global jewellery business. "

Key topics include the jewellery industry's role in UAE's economic growth, luxury marketing, consumer confidence in diamonds, supply and demand situation, e-commerce and the changing face of jewellery marketing.

Delegates will get to hear from eminent speakers like David Lamb, Worldwide Marketing Director, Diamond Trading Company; Kenneth Gassman, President, Jewellery Industry Research Institute; Donna M. Baker, President of Gemological Institute of America; Peter Meeus, Executive Director Diamonds & Colored Stones - Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), Government of Dubai; Ernest Blom, President - World Federation of Diamond Bourses; Gaetano Cavalieri, President - The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) and Joseph Menzie, CEO - International Color Stone Association, among others.

The annual event is organized with the support of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC).

Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chief Operating Officer, DMCC, said: "DMCC was set up to facilitate the growth of the local and regional gold and precious metals market through promoting international standards and best practices. The gold and jewellery industry is becoming increasingly complex, and all segments must work together using our collective resources to ensure its appropriate positioning.

"The City of Gold conference is an ideal networking forum for the gold and jewellery industry, as it brings together the entire supply chain from mining to manufacturing under one platform. As the foremost jewellery-specific initiative of its kind in the world, it also has the support of the UAE government, and we are confident that this year's conference will add immense value to the local jewellery trade."

As a strategic partner of this conference since its inception, DMCC will update delegates on its successful initiatives, including the launch of International Diamond Laboratories and the Dubai Gems Club. These industry-specific initiatives have enabled Dubai to reiterate its position as an international trading hub for commodities.

The conference will also include two panel discussions- 'Where will the gold price go in 2007' chaired by Colin A Griffith, Executive Director, Gold - DMCC and 'Unified jewellery marketing' lead by Tawhid Abdullah, Managing Director of Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group.

Over 350 delegates comprising of CEOs, industry leaders and bankers from local and international markets and representatives from the Government of Dubai are expected to participate in the conference.

Standard Bank is the presenting sponsor and Transguard is a key sponsor for the 5th Dubai City of Gold conference. World Gold Council, Diamond Trading Company, HSBC and National Bank of Dubai are support sponsors.

Alison Burns, Regional Head of Precious Metals, Standard Bank Plc, Dubai, said: "We are particularly delighted to have been afforded the key Presenting Sponsor role this year which highlights our pre-eminent position as a leading player in the regional gold markets. This year's event also coincides with a key milestone for Standard Bank's Dubai office as we celebrate our 10th anniversary in the country".

Speaking about the conference K.P Baiju, General Manager, Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group commented: "We have come a long way since the inception of the conference 5 years ago. Today, we use the event as a forum to share our success and provide insight to other international players interested in the regional market."

The first Dubai City of Gold Conference was held in January 2003 and it underlined Dubai's key role as the regional hub for gold and jewellery. The second edition in 2004 focused on trade and finance and helped establish the Conference as a leading international event.

The umbrella theme for the 3rd Dubai City of Gold Conference in 2005 was 'Marketing' which comprised of three elements- the Dubai initiative; branding of jewellery and watches; and tourism potential of the emirate. The 2006 edition of the Conference, on the other hand, offered the industry an opportunity to align itself to work towards a concerted marketing effort.