World Diamond Conference

NEW DELHI, December 11-12, 2014

GALLERY

WHAT

The WDCI will bring together industry professionals and world experts to address the future place of diamonds in the luxury product market.

WHO

The World Diamond Mark® (“WDM”) aims to encourage future growth in the diamond and diamond jewellery industry by creating consumer demand.

WHEN

Onsite registration of delegates and a reception takes place December 10, 2014. The conference is held over December 11-12, 2014

WHERE

Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, India

ABOUT THE EVENTThe WDCI will bring together industry professionals and world experts to address the future place of diamonds in the luxury product market.

Organised by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India (GJEPC) and the World Diamond Mark Foundation (WDMF), the World Diamond Conference India will tackle the proverbial big elephant in the room: the continuing loss of share of diamonds and diamond jewellery in the global luxury product consumer markets.

The conference will encourage the event's participants – leading decision makers from the global luxury product industry, presidents and CEOs of the major diamond producers, prominent diamond manufacturers and dealers, and a choice of diamond industry policy makers -- to engage in frank and spirited debate. By sharing their insights and experience and in offering evenhanded analysis, these industry front-runners will facilitate a truly open discussion about the path the diamond and diamond jewellery industry will need to follow toward new growth and rejuvenation.
Expected not to be for the faint-hearted, a series of intense and lively sessions across the two-day conference will cover topics as luxury product marketing and their target audiences, current and future marketing programmes for diamonds on the 'new normal' economy of the 21st century, the tools and means needed for new generations of consumers in the classic markets in the West as well as the younger luxury consumer markets in India, China and Russia.
Of course, what happens in outside the room is almost as important as what tranpires during the conference sessions and therefore, there will also be plenty of networking opportunities for the attendees, delegates and speakers.
One thing is sure; the best in the world of luxury will be present in India for this conference, and we don’t want you to miss the chance to come away with a lot of food for thought and to make a myriad of new industry connections.

REGISTER

Speakers

About the organisers

GJEPC

Established in 1966, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has more than 5,300 members spread all over India.

The Council’s primary focus is introducing Indian gem and jewellery products to the international market,

Ministry of Commerce

The Department of Commerce formulates and implements the foreign trade policies of the Indian government, builds and nurtures multilateral and bilateral commercial relations, corrodinates export promotion measures, and develops and regulates export oriented industries and commodities

The World Diamond Mark®

The World Diamond Mark® (“WDM”) is a not-for-profit organisation established in Hong Kong in 2012 by the World Federation of Diamond Bourses to encourage the health and future growth of the diamond and diamond jewellery industry in

ALROSA Group

The ALROSA Group is a Russian group of diamond companies ranking number one in the world as for the production of rough diamonds; its diamond reserves are the largest across the globe.

The ALROSA Group is

World Federation of Diamond Bourses

The World Federation of Diamond Bourses promotes the trade of diamonds, encourages the establishment of bourses, uniting all centres where diamonds are actively traded. It aims to uphold the traditions, principles of mutual trust, consideration and friendship which prevail

Hear from industry professionals and world expertsA series of informative and thought-provoking panels, talks and workshops will be held over both days of the conference. Below you will find details of each individual session - including discussion points and speakers.

WORLD DIAMOND CONFERENCE - 11th & 12th DECEMBER, 2014 Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi

SESSIONS & SPEAKERS

PROGRAM

DAY 1 – 11th DECEMBER
Time	Activity
08.00 am - 09.15 am	Registration & Breakfast
09.15 am - 09.25 am	Moderator`s Opening Remarks – Ms. Keshini Navratnam
SESSION I – Hall 6, Vigyan Bhawan Welcome Session
09.25 am - 09.32 am	Welcome Address by Mr. Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC
09.32 am - 09.40 am	Presentation of bouquets and momentos
09.40 am - 09.55 am	Address by Mr. Ilya Ryaschin, Acting President, Alrosa
09.55 am - 10.02 am	Address by Mr. Edward Asscher, President, WDC
10.02 am - 10.09 am	Address by Mr. Ernest Blom, President, WFDB
10.09 am - 10.16 am	Address by Minister of Mines and Mining Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Hon. Walter K. Chiadkwa
10.16 am - 10.23 am	Address by Mining Minister, Advocate Hon. Ngoako Ramatlhodi, Ministry of Mineral Resourses, South Africa
10.23 am - 10.38 am	Presentation on Indian Diamond Trade by Mr. Rajiv Mehta, Dimexon
10.38 am - 10.48 am	Address by Mr. Anup K. Pujari, Secretary, Ministry of Mines
10.38 am - 10.48 am	Note of thanks by Mr. Anoop Mehta, President, Bharat Diamond Bourse
10.48 am - 11.10 am	TEA BREAK
SESSION III – Hall 6, Vigyan Bhawan Crossing the Last Mile – Excellence in Jewellery Retail
01.55 am - 02.00 am	Introduction by Moderator – Ms. Keshini Navaratnam
02.00 pm - 02.15 pm	Presentation by Mr. Wong Siu-Kee Kent, Chow Tai Fook
02.15 pm - 02.30 pm	Presentation by Mr. Oded Edelman, James Allen
02.30 pm - 02.45 pm	Presentation by Mr. Darshan Mehta, Reliance Brands
02.45 pm - 03.20 pm	Panel discussion - Wong Siu-Kee Kent, Darshan Mehta, Oded Edelman, Karim Merchant, Pure Gold. Moderator – Keshini Navaratnam
3.20 pm - 4.00 pm	TEA BREAK
Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bhawan Inauguration Function
04.00 pm - 04.05 pm	Welcome Address by Mr. Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC
04.05 pm - 04.15 pm	Lighting of the Lamp, Presentation of Mementos to the dignitaries by Ms. Sonam Kapoor, Brand Ambassador of GJEPC
04.15 pm - 04.25 pm	Address by Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman
04.25 pm - 04.40 pm	Address by H.E. Vladimir Putin, Honorable President of Russian Federation
04.40 pm - 04.55 pm	Address by Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi
04.55 pm - 05.00 pm	Note of thanks – Mr. Pankaj Parekh, Vice-Chairman, GJEPC
END OF DAY 1 SESSIONS
7.30 pm - 09.30 pm onwards	Gala Dinner, Entertainment – Durbar , Taj Mahal, New Delhi

DAY 2 - 12th DECEMBER
Time	Activity
09.30 am - 09.45 am	Opening Remark – Importance of Diamond Industry to India by Mr. Rajeev Kher, Commerce Secretary , MOC&I
09.15 am - 09.25 am	Moderator`s Opening Remarks – Ms. Keshini Navratnam
SESSION I – Hall 6, Vigyan Bhawan Credits & KYC – Financing the Trade in Challenging Times
09.45 am - 10.00 am	Address by Mr. R. Gandhi, Governor, RBI Dy
10.00 am - 10.15 am	Address by Mr. Erik A. Jens, CEO, ABN Amro
10.15 am - 10.30 am	Address by Mr. Kishore Lall, Standard Chartered Bank
10.30 am - 10.45 am	Address by Mr. Howard Davies, Head Commercial Development, De Beers
10.45 am - 11.15 am	Panel Discussion - Eric Jens, Mr. N.K. Chari, SBI, Howard Davies, Kishore Lall. Moderator: Mr. Chaim Even-Zohar
11.15 am - 11.30 am	My KYC Network, a project by GJEPC for World Gem & Jewellery Industry by Mr. Pranay Narvekar
11.30 am - 11.45 am	Address by Mr. Hasmukh Adhia, Secretary, Financial Services, Government of India
11.45 am - 12.00 pm	TEA BREAK
SESSION II – Hall 6, Vigyan Bhawan Luxury – How to Sustain Diamonds as the Most Coveted Luxury Product
12.00 am - 12.05 am	Introduction by Moderator – Ms. Keshini Navratnam
12.05 pm - 12.15 pm	Address of Mr. Rami Baron, Member of Board, WDM
12.15 pm - 12.30 pm	Presentation by Mr. C K. Venkatraman, CEO Jewellery, Titan Co.
12.30 pm - 01.15 pm	Panel discussion – Q&A. Moderator – Ms. Keshini Navratnam
01.15 pm - 02.00 pm	LUNCH BREAK
SESSION III – Hall 6, Vigyan Bhawan Industry Bodies – Finding Solutions to the Current Issues in International Trade
02.00 pm - 03.00 pm	Panel Discussion - Ernest Blom, Mr. Stephane Fischler - AWDC, Vipul Shah, Anoop Mehta, Mr. Maxim Shkadov, IDMA, Edward Asscher, Mr. Avi Paz, IDI Moderator – Ms. Keshini Navratnam
SUMMING UP
03.00 pm - 03.15 pm	Mr. Siddharth Singh, Joint Secretary , MOC&I
03.15 pm - 03.30 pm	Mr. Saunak Parikh, Mahendra Brothers
03.30 pm - 03.45 pm	Mr. Ronnie Vanderlinden, President, DMIA
END OF CONFERENCE
04.00 pm - 4.30 pm	Press Conference Chaired by Commerce Secretary, Mr. Rajeev Kher, Mr. Vipul Shah, Mr. Anoop Mehta, Mr. Alex Popov and Mr. Ernest Blom
* Above Programme is subject to changes

List of Speakers and Panellists

Location

WORLD DIAMOND CONFERENCE INDIA - Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, India communications@worlddiamondmark.org

get directions

OUR SPEAKERS

VIPUL P SHAH

CHAIRMAN, GJEPC

Mr. Vipul P Shah, CEO & Managing Director of Asian Star Co. Ltd., is a visionary with enriched experience in the diamond industry. He is well traveled and has thorough knowledge of current business trends prevailing worldwide as well as deep insight of future needs of the diamond market. His expertise in financial matters remains undisputed.

Ernest Blom

President, WFDB

Ernest Blom is Chairman of the Diamond Dealers Club of South Africa since 2003 and he became president of the WFDB in 2012 after serving as its Vice President. Mr Blom owns Ernest Blom Diamond Cutting Works and Ernest Blom Diamonds and has been a business owner since 1978. He is also a Honorary Life President of World Federation of Diamond Bourses and a Founder Member and Vice President of the World Diamond Council.

Anoop Mehta

President of the Bharat Diamond Bourse

Anoop Mehta is President of the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) and a member of Executive Committee of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses in 2003. Under his stewardship, the new BDB complex was inaugurated in October 2010, pinning India very visibly on the diamond business map of the world. Mr. Mehta has also been associated with The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council for many years and is on the committee of the Diamond Exporters Association Limited (DEAL).

Alex Popov

Chairman, World Diamond Mark Foundation - President, Moscow Diamond Bourse

Alex Popov is the founder and CEO of the AP Diamond Consult, an agency that is active in luxury distribution and retail in the Russian Federation, CIS countries and the Baltic states. He is also the joint Joint CEO at Art Alliance deLuxe Ltd.

Philippe Mellier

Chief Executive De Beers Group

Philippe Mellier (59) is the Chief Executive of the de Beers Group. He began his career at the Ford Motor Company, where he spent 19 years in various senior management positions. He joined Renault as a Senior Vice-President and in 2001 moved to Volvo AB to become Chairman and Chief Executive of Renault Trucks and a member of the Volvo Group Executive Committee.

Ilya Ryaschin

Acting President, Alrosa

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Hon. Walter K. Chiadkwa

Minister of Mines and Mining Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe

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Advocate Hon. Ngoako Ramatlhodi

Mining Minister, South Africa

-

Edward Asscher

President, WDC

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Stephen Lussier

Executive Director, De Beers

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Andrey Polyakov

Vice President Of ALROSA

Andrey Polyakov is vice president of ALROSA Co. Ltd., Russia's largest diamond producer. He joined the firm in 2004, serving as an advisor to the CEO of Investment Group ALROSA and from 2007 to 2012 headed Alrosa' public relations department. One of the world's major rough diamond producers. ALROSA produces about 25 percent f the world's rough diamond output.

Jean‐Marc Lieberherr

Managing Director Rio Tinto’s Diamond Division

Jean‐Marc Lieberherr is Managing Director of Rio Tinto’s Diamond division. Prior to joining Rio Tinto, he worked in various sales, marketing and general management positions in Asia and Europe for Louis Vuitton Moët‐Hennessy (LVMH) and Unilever. In his role, Jean‐Marc is responsible for maximising the value of Rio Tinto’s diamond assets and projects in Australia, Canada, Zimbabwe and India.

Maxim Shkadov

President IDMA

Maxim Shkadov is President of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA), Chairman of the Russian Diamond Manufacturers Association and Director General and CEO of Kristall Production Corporation. He also serves as the president of the Smolensk Diamonds Association, the organization that unites the companies of the Smolensk region involved in the diamond manufacturing industry.

KENT WONG

CEO, CHOW TAI FOOK

Mr Kent Wong Siu Kee, Managing Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewelry Group Limited, is a veteran with substantial experience in both operations and management in the jewelry industry. He is also an Executive Director of the Group and a director of some of its subsidiaries.

Emilie Mellerio

Mellerio International, President

On 10 October 2013, 400 years to the day after the creation of the company, Emilie Mellerio is elected President of the Board of Directors of the family group operating subsidiary.

Rajiv P. Mehta

Director Of The Dimexon Group

Rajiv P. Mehta is Director of the Dimexon Group. His extensive experience in the diamond value chain, his strategic decision making and his unique insights and management style have made Dimexon one of leading successful diamon firms in worldwide. An accomplished public speaker, he has given key notes at the GIA Symposium in San Diego, and served as lead speaker at biennial World Diamond Congresses and Presidents' Meetings in New York, Dubai and India.

Erik A. Jens

Head Of The Diamond and Jewellery Division BN AMRO Bank

Erik A. Jens is head of the BN AMRO Bank Diamond and Jewellery division. With ample experience in banking, financing and investments, he has a strong interest in leading businesses in a turnaround situation, creating sustainable value. He is leader rather than a manager, believes in walking the talk, putting his staff first, then the clients, creating happy shareholders in the end. He adheres to the 'Think Different' approach.

Karim Merchant

CEO, Pure Gold

Karim Merchant is the CEO and MD of Pure Gold Jewelers, a family run multi-million dollar jewelry retail business based in Dubai. He is also the CEO & MD of Pure Gold Group

Oded Edelman

CEO, James Allen

Oded Edelman is the Founder and CEO of R2Net, the company behind JamesAllen.com - a leading online diamond and bridal jewelry retailer

Darshan Mehta

CEO, Reliance Brands

Darshan is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a Cost & Works Accountant.

Keshini Navaratnam

Chief Moderator

A familiar face to many people working for the BBC World Service Radio. She has spoken at a range of top international conference for the UN, Commonwealth, EU and various global industries.

Chaim Even-Zohar

Panel Moderator

Principal of international diamond industry consultancy Tacy Ltd. Member of the World Diamond Council, and honourary life member of the Israel Diamond Exchange and the Diamond Dealers Club in New York

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