Dubai to lead global jewellery marketing strategy

Mr. Abdullah's nomination was announced during the CIBJO Annual Congress, which was held at the Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa Hotel, from February 28 to March 1.

The decision to appoint Abdullah was made following his inspirational speech at the Congress, where he called for the establishment of a global jewellery focus group that should be created with the objective of integrating the marketing efforts of the jewellery trade worldwide. At the Congress, a range of global viewpoints were presented by prominent worldwide delegates including representatives from the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Russia to name but a few.

CIBJO is a globally respected body that is responsible for setting jewellery industry standards, their directives are adopted by every prominent member of the jewellery industry.

'I am honoured that CIBJO has made me chairman of the Marketing Strategy Commission. A unified structured marketing partnership is what we need, and I greatly look forward to the challenges ahead. Our experience in Dubai shows the value of effective jewellery marketing. I hope to guide CIBJO's members and to assist them to achieve success in the members individual markets,' Abdullah added, stressing that the retail jewellery sector can no longer take on the burden of marketing alone, and the time has come for the industry to send out a strong and coordinated message.

Dubai, which has played an active role in the jewellery industry worldwide, has been a member of CIBJO for four years. Mr. Abdullah's appointment is seen as a recognition of Dubai's growth on the world jewellery stage. 'The decision demonstrates that the global jewellery community see the need to support Tawhid Abdullah's vision to develop and promote the jewellery industry in a far more strategic manner,' said Mr. KP Baiju, General Manager, Gold And Jewellery Group.

Earlier, addressing the CIBJO Congress, Tawhid Abdullah highlighted how effective marketing, and promotional support, is needed by the global jewellery industry. He said that a new global body was vital if the jewellery industry was to meet the enormous challenges and competition from highly organised multinational companies aggressively marketing lifestyle products.

'The major issue facing the industry today is how to create the resources for a truly global marketing group - a body ready to deliver the promotional support to the jewellery industry is badly needed. If we succeed in our goal, then CIBJO, and all its members, will both protect the industry, and open up an exciting new chapter for our industry,' Abdullah added. 'We have to work together for our common product 'jewellery', regardless of whether it is made from gold, platinum, diamonds or pearls. CIBJO, with its international network, should reach out to everyone who benefits from this industry to become part of this movement. Only such a movement can effectively compete with the multimillion-dollar marketing budgets of our rivals in the marketplace.'

He concluded by saying, 'Our thinking behind the creation of an international jewellery marketing body came from the Dubai Initiative, aimed at helping the Emirate becoming an international trading and manufacturing hub for the precious metal and gemstone business. The initiative was enthusiastically embraced by the key representative bodies of our trade in December 2003.'

The Dubai Initiative -- an initiative of the Gold and Jewellery Group, aimed at making the Emirate an international trading and manufacturing hub for the precious metal and gemstone business - was unveiled at the 2nd Dubai City of Gold Conference held in December last year.