2010 WFDB Asia Summit concludes successfully

The 2010 WFDB Asia Summit, held on 13 September 2010 in the Thai capital, was the second summit meeting of diamond exchange presidents from Asia. It focused on challenges faced by Asian member bourses in their markets, including membership recruitment and services, communications with members and especially the efforts the bourses, together with the WFDB, need to make to demonstrate the added value membership of a WFDB-affiliated bourse can give diamond companies in Asia.

The event was attended by World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) president Avi Paz and honorary presidents, Shmuel Schnitzer and Ernest Blom amongst other dignitaries of the industry, Vichai Assrasakron, president of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association; Somchai Phornchindarak, CEO of the Bangkok Gem and Jewelry Fair; Pichet Romhuttirerk, BDPSE Secretary General; hosted leaders of diamond bourses from Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Russia and South Korea, Suresh Hathiramani, vice president of the Diamond Exchange of Singapore; Lawrence Ma, president of the Hong Kong Diamond Bourse; Alex Popov, president of the Moscow Diamond Bourse; Michio Iwasaki, president of the Tokyo Diamond Bourse; and Jae Kim, president of the Korea Diamond Bourse.

Avi Paz called the summit a success as it concluded on a collective note of “What measures do the bourses in Asia, together with the WFDB take to increase the benefits diamantaires derive from a bourse membership?" Boonyong Assarasakorn, president of the Bangkok diamond and Precious Stones Exchange (BDPSE) expressed that "There is no doubt that in countries where there is a strong local gem and jewellery trade organization, like here in Thailand, the WFDB needs to demonstrate why we are different".

Rami Baron, president of the Diamond Dealers Club of Australia, presented a detailed plan for developing the WFDB Mark geared to diamond retailers worldwide.

Avi Paz praised the proactive attitude of the Asian diamond exchange leaders and said, " For the WFDB, advancement of diamond bourses in this region is now a top priority," he said.