3rd 'City of Gold' Conference 2005 hosted by Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group commences today

Hailed as a unique global industry event, it will address key challenges faced by the jewellery industry at large.

The foremost jewellery-specific initiative of its kind in the world, it has the support of the UAE government and will begin with a keynote address by HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Economy and Planning.

More than 300 delegates from around the world are expected to attend the one and half day event. Twenty eminent industry experts from South Africa, United Kingdom, Turkey, Tahiti, India, Italy, Switzerland and other countries are taking part.

Speakers will include Stewart Murray, Chief Executive Officer, London Bullion Market Association; Rian Raghavjee, Projects Manager, Marketing, AngloGoldAshanti; Philip Olden, Managing Director Marketing & Jewellery, World Gold Council (WGC); Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri, President CIBJO; Paul Walker, Chief Executive Officer, Gold Field Mineral Services Ltd.; and Jean Daniel Pasche, President, Swiss Watch Federation.

Says Tawhid Abdullah, Chairman, DGJG: 'A focused and coordinated effort towards integrated marketing of 'Jewellery' as a single category - be it diamond, pearl or any other precious metal - especially targeting youth and modern consumers, is critical to the future success of our trade. This is the key driver behind the theme for this year's conference -Marketing.'

The overriding objective of the 3rd Dubai 'City Of Gold' conference is to start building a strategic marketing and communication programme to be used and adapted for each and every type of precious jewellery in all parts of the world. The three discussion topics of the 2005 conference will cover (A) integrated global jewellery marketing, with emphasis on targeting the youth and modern consumers; (B) identifying opportunities to market jewellery to tourists and thereby establishing it as a key component of tourism and (C) the issue of branded versus unbranded products and the success of branding in this sector.

The need for Integrated Global Marketing of Jewellery has been presented by DGJG as a 'Dubai Initiative' for the past three years at major international conferences of the industry such as the LBMA 2003 - Portugal, LBMA 2004 - China as well as CIBJO 2004 - Thailand. This has received tremendous support and encouragement at these forums and will be central to the annual conference in Dubai.

'With the assistance of all participating industry experts, we want to form a committee that will develop a Global Jewellery Marketing Strategy, which uses our collective resources to create a campaign and a positioning that builds a relevant as well as an appealing image to younger audiences and modern consumers. Increasingly, this category's purchasing power is under pressure from other modern lifestyle products and influences, and we must proactively address this, or be at the risk of being shut out. It may even be necessary to create a body to bring this vision into reality and make sure the future of our industry is well guarded,' added Mr. Abdullah.

DMCC had actively supported the two earlier 'City of Gold' conferences as well as all DGJG's initiatives. Colin Griffith, DMCC's Executive Director for the Gold and Precious Metals Sector says; 'We are very proud to be associated with this year's conference. Dubai is rapidly becoming a very important regional and international hub in the trade of gold and precious metals. The DMCC and DGJG along with other industry trade bodies are in favour of creating a committee that is tasked with supporting the Global Jewellery Marketing Initiative through various communications programmes. We are delighted to be associated with the 3rd 'City of Gold' conference, which is a unique and prominent event that will bring attention to Dubai. We welcome all participants to our Emirate, and look forward to a candid exchange of ideas.'

Jeffrey Rhodes, General Manager of Standard Bank's Dubai Office said; 'The Standard Bank Group is delighted to be involved with the 3rd 'City of Gold' conference as a key sponsor for the third year in a row and we feel that the event will prove to be another major landmark for Dubai's flourishing gold sector. We are committed to playing an important role in the regional gold market, working closely with both the public and private sectors, and wish the organisers of this event every success.'

Highlighting the strategic importance of this event to the jewellery industry, key sponsors such as WGC, Standard Bank and global industry leaders including American Express, DCB, Diamond Trading Company, Fiera Di Vicenza, Perles de Tahiti, National Bank of Dubai-Scotia Mocatta and Uno A Erre, are confirmed participants for this year's initiative.