CIBJO President Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri opened discussions on the gem and jewellery sector of the Republic of Armenia, with dignitaries of the government and jewellery sector of Armenia, during his visit at the 2012 Yerevan International Jewellery Show. He spoke with senior officials of the Armenian government and with the leadership of the Armenian Jewellers' Association (AJA) during a visit to the country's capital of Yerevan.

In his talks Dr. Cavalieri praised the country’s gem and jewellery trade and pledged CIBJO's support for the growth of the jewellery industry and market in Armenia. Together with AJA President Gagik Gevorkyan, Dr. Cavalieri met with Armenian President Serzh Azati Sargsyan, and with the country's Prime Minister, Tigran Sargsyan; Minister of the Economy, Tigran Davtyan; and Minister of the Diaspora, Hranush Hakobyan.

While addressing the event, Dr. Cavalieri congratulated the work by AJA and to the special contribution provided by members of the Armenian community to “promoting their industry internationally, and the jewellery culture in general in their own country". He also said that the “The Armenian diaspora is known the world over in the jewellery community, and over the years I have made many friends from it, some of whom are here today. I am pleased that, finally, I am able to experience the real Armenia."

The 2012 Yerevan International Jewellery Show opened yesterday and will run through October 31.