Diamond industry debates future and challenges in Vladivostok

Russian diamond mining giant Alrosa staged an industry-specific session, “New Development Drivers of the Global Diamond Business in Asia Pacific”, during the East Russia Economic Forum (EREF) in Vladivostok on 3 September. Leading diamond and jewelry industry figures took part in a debate on the challenges facing the business.

Participants in the sessions discussed the current conditions and prospects for further development of the global diamond market, the potential of new jewelry consumption markets (including Russia), measures to stimulate consumer demand and how to promote demand for polished diamonds as a unique product.

The session was moderated by Ari Epstein, CEO of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, and featured distinguished representatives of major industry organizations, manufacturing and jewelry businesses, including ALROSA's President, Andrey Zharkov; WFDB President Ernest Blom; GJEPC Chairman Vipul Shah; Chairman of the World Diamond Mark Foundation Alex Popov; Dilip Mehta, CEO of Rosy Blue; Patrick Kwok of the world's largest jewelry retailer Chow Tai Fook and Kris Cuyvers, of CASE consultants.