Singapore to host 36th World Diamond Congress

Singapore has been decided as the venue for the 36th World Diamond Congress in 2014, following the invitation by the Diamond Exchange of Singapore (DES) being accepted at the recent 2011 Presidents' Meeting of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) in Dubai.

DES president Suresh Hathiramani said, "While our exchange's membership is small compared to that of other bourses, our role as a diamond distribution hub is important in this part of Asia. Our members serve those markets that are beyond the horizon of most other bourses. As such, we are the face of the diamond trade," He also mentioned that majority of the DES members are WFDB Mark holders and apply the WFDB Mark of Excellence.

"Singapore is an important gateway to the Asian market, in particular to markets such as Malaysia and Indonesia which are the next potential growth markets for diamonds and diamond jewellery," WFDB President Avi Paz noted. "During the past decades, the members of the Diamond Exchange of Singapore (DES) have made a significant contribution to the development of new diamond markets ", Paz added further.

He also paid tribute to Hathiramani's work on behalf of the WFDB, saying "He is one of the WFDB's most active presidents. With his appointment as chair of the WFDB Trade & Promotion Committee - following the passing away of Freddy Hager - I am confident that he will be instrumental in advancing the WFDB and in growing its role and prestige as the diamond industry's leading representational organization."