Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group's 4th 'City of Gold Conference' an overwhelming success

The conference, which was held for the fourth successive year, is recognized globally as the only one of its kind, providing a base for all players in the industry to provide and exchange insights and testimonials of successful innovative strategies. It was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group.

The annual event which is supported by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), had generated tremendous interest within the local and international gold and diamond jewellery trade, as well as international observers following current global trends in the gold sector.

More than 500 delegates attended the conference including a line-up of the world's leading experts in finance, research and commodities, who spoke on a variety of topics that impact on the gold and jewellery trade including bullion banking, cargo handling, technology, online diamond trading, brand building and anti-money laundering compliance programs.

The key sponsors of the conference were Standard Bank, HSBC, Transguard and National Bank of Fujairah. The conference was also supported by World Gold Council, DTC and National Bank of Dubai.

The key focus areas of the conference were Marketing, Innovation, Education and Trade Finance which were carefully chosen to facilitate sustained and increased growth for the industry.

Mr. Tawhid Abdullah, said:

'The Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group is pleased with the overwhelming success of the fourth edition of the City of Gold conference. Speakers and delegates were able to share information and strategies on ways of strengthening the gold and jewellery industry worldwide. There was a great degree of transparency in the high quality presentations that helped generate the useful insights and ideas that were put forward during the panel discussion on the final day. We will examine them more closely and see how we can use them to achieve the various goals set by the industry, especially the drawing up of a unified global marketing strategy for gold and jewellery.'

He added: 'The successful conclusion of the conference has helped overcome the challenge of satisfying over 700 members of the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, and is ample testimony of the group's organizational skills and the strong bonds it shares with other local bodies and private establishments. In this regard, I would like to express our deep appreciation to all our sponsors who supported the staging of this annual event with great enthusiasm'.

Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, said: 'In the West, we tend to view the economy of this part of the world as being one-dimensional. The emirate of Dubai, its leadership and its remarkable business community have shown us how multi-dimensional they are. The growth of the jewellery. Gemstone and precious metals sector in Dubai has been spectacular, and we salute you for what has been achieved in so short a space of time'

In a significant move for the development of the local gold and jewellery industry, two of the speakers focused on the educational and training aspects. Mr. David Watkins, Head of Gold Smithing, Silver Smithing, Metal Work and Jewellery, Royal College of Art made a presentation on 'A Model for the Education of Post-Graduate Jewellery Designers while Dr. Howard Reed, Director of Dubai Women's College, Higher College of Technology spoke on 'Developing National Entrepreneurs for the Jewellery Sector.

Dr. Howard Reed, said: 'The Higher Colleges of Technology wish to support the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group in establishing Dubai as the jewellery destination of the world. This will occur not only through developing trade and market opportunities, but by training a new generation of entrepreneurs to grow the industry. At Dubai Women's College, a radical new training program has resulted from a partnership between Damas, the HCT, and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders.'

He added: 'This partnership is providing industry training, retail experience, development of business planning and management skills, and funding to establish new businesses in the jewellery sector. We believe this Professional Diploma in Jewellery Business Management will develop the skills of a new generation of national entrepreneurs, who will become employers rather than employees and contribute new ideas, passion and commitment to the growth of the industry.'

The final day featured presentations by Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, the World Gold Council's Managing Director for the Middle East, Turkey and Pakistan, B. S. Nagesh, Customer Care Associate and Managing Director of Shoppers Stop Ltd and Barbara Lipatapanlop, Executive Director of the International Coloured Gemstone Association. The conference concluded with the panel discussion titled 'Contributions to the industry and industry expectations'.