Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG) has called upon the industry to present a united front and improve co-operation across the supply chain.

This is to overcome the challenges currently facing the jewellery industry, including rising prices, competition from other luxury sectors and changing consumer behaviour, saisd a top DGJG official. 

“The jewellery industry is witnessing sweeping changes, and it is imperative that we as an industry pull together to share outlooks and possible strategies,” said Tawfique Abdullah, DGJG chairman.

“This is why a forum like Dubai City of Gold is so important. Over two days, we will provide a venue for global players to network, discuss issues and explore next practices. The conference underscores Dubai’s status as a hub of the regional and global jewellery industry.”

The appeal comes ahead of sixth annual 'Dubai City of Gold' conference which begins on April 12 under the theme ‘Value Chain & Integration.’

The two-day conference will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the department of civil aviation and chairman of Emirates Airlines.

Issues for discussion include the contribution of the industry to national economies, integrated marketing, certification, diamond grading and the future of the coloured stones industry.
 
Established in 2003, the 'City of Gold' conference is a top event for the global jewellery industry and the only one of its kind in the Middle East & North Africa, one of the fastest growing jewellery markets in the world.

The event brings together a diverse group of leaders and experts from all sectors of the industry, including retail, mining, banking, manufacturing and trade associations.

“We expect over 500 delegates from the GCC, Europe, America, the Indian sub-continent and South Africa to attend the conference, along with top international speakers from various sectors of the industry, “ said Swapna Nair, DGJG general manager. “This promises to be a particularly interesting and fruitful conference,” she added.

Speakers include Gaetano Cavalieri, president, The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO); Andrew Cody, president of International Coloured Stones Association; Ali Mohammed Safar, director of directorate of Precious Metals & Gemstone Testing, Bahrain Ministry of Industry & Commerce; Ian MacDonald, executive director, Gold and Precious Metals, DMCC; Moaz Barakat, managing director, Middle East, Pakistan & Turkey, World Gold Council; Martin Rapaport, chief executive officer, Rapaport Group; David Fernandez, head of Asia Sovereign Research, JP Morgan Chase Bank; and James Steel, chief commodities analyst, HSBC Bank.-TradeArabia News Service