The launch event of the Panama Gem & Jewelry Center is seeing many industry leaders confirm their participation for the same. Recently, Maxim Shkadov, President of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association, and Roland Lorie, co-CEO of the International Gemological Institute have registered for the event which is slated from March 17-18, 2014.

Apart from his role as President of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association, Maxim Shkadov is also Director General of Kristall Smolensk, Russia's largest polishing factory, and President of the Russian Diamond Manufacturers' Association. Roland Lorie stands atop the International Gemological Institute. He will present a seminar at the Panama Gem & Jewelry Center launch event.

Anchored by the Panama Diamond Exchange (PDE), the first and only diamond bourse in all of Latin America, the Panama Gem & Jewelry Center will be the first dedicated facility for the diamond, jewelry and colored stone trades in the region that includes South and Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Its launch is expected to gather members of the diamond, gemstone and jewelry industries from Latin America and the world, introducing them to the $200 million project that is likely to change the face and boost prospects of the diamond, jewelry and colored stones trades in the region. The guest of honor at the launch will be President Ricardo Martinelli, Panama's head of state. A dedicated website has been established for the launch and can be viewed in Spanish and English.