Qatar, ready to host fraternity at DIDGC

 

Qatar opens its doors on January 29 to 31, at the NED 

The inaugural Doha International Diamond & Gem Conference will begin with a packed program on Wednesday, January 29. H E Saad Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, the event’s chief sponsor, will welcome the conference delegates, dignitaries, and guests. 

The following speakers to address the Opening Session will be H E Dr. Ahmad Al Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs; H E Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, Minister of Minerals and Energy of Botswana; Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre; Feriel Zerouki (Ms), President, the World Diamond Council (WDC), and Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman, Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). 

“The conference will kick off with a Q&A with De Beers Executive Vice-President Paul Rowley and diamond industry expert Richard Chetwode. The delegates and guests will consequently be kept on their toes during three panel sessions.

In the first, entitled “Fostering collaboration in the diamond and gemstone sectors,” Richard Chetwode and panelists will investigate why the diamond and gemstone industries remain fragmented, with virtually no vertical integration.  

In the Coloured Gemstones and Pearls: New Horizons panel, gemstone market specialist and author Richa Goyal moderates a panel about colored gemstones and pearls, addressing mining, value addition, marketing, and exciting emerging projects.  

The concluding panel of the day, the tech advantage in diamond and gemstone supply chain, will examine how technology enhances transparency, builds consumer trust, and appeals to tech-savvy generations. The second conference day begins with a short session named “Why Qatar” during which three leading Qatari executives will speak about the unique advantages of investing in Qatar, one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing economies.   

Next, in a panel entitled Adding value to diamonds and gemstones: keeping consumers captivated, Moderator Dr. Frank Müller and his panel members will discuss why diamonds and gemstones are not marketed as a luxury products. In the afternoon, the conference delegates will be driven to the Heenat Salma Farm, Al Shaniya, for some Qatari desert culture experiences, food tastings, and cultural workshops.  

The concluding panel of the day, from mines to markets: a social development revolution will discuss the need for companies to integrate sustainability and equal opportunities throughout the diamond and coloured gemstone supply pipeline in the communities and countries where they operate.  

“We’re excited that we succeeded in organising this inaugural conference in the span of just three months and look forward to meaningful and productive sessions,” said Alex Popov, Chair of the DIDGC Organising Committee. “We hope this is the beginning of a long and beautiful tradition here in Qatar!”