Moscow Diamond Bourse to Celebrate WFDB Membership

Leaders of the international diamond and jewelry industries will gather in Moscow on December 13-14, when the Moscow Diamond Bourse (MDB) will formally celebrate its acceptance as a full member of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB).

The WFDB General Assembly unanimously accepted the MDB's application to become the Federation’s 26th member organization at the 32nd World Diamond Congress in Tel Aviv in June 2006.

“The gathering in Moscow will afford us the opportunity to thank the leadership of the industry for the support that they afforded us in obtaining WFDB membership,” said Lev Polyakov, the MDB president.  “It also will enable us to underscore what we believe is our bourse’s primary mission – to provide a trading platform for the developing diamond and jewelry sector in Russia and the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).”

Polyakov added, “The region is home to a population of more than 360 million, representing a future market of tremendous potential.  It is our aim is to help realize that potential.”

The Moscow event will start with a conclave attended by leaders of the Russian and international diamond and jewelry sectors, members of the Russian government and parliament, representatives of the diplomatic corps in Moscow, and the media.  It will be followed by a luncheon.  Guest will then pay an official visit to the Moscow Diamond Bourse. The following morning, an open house will be held at the bourse.

In the evening, there will be a gala dinner, honoring Russian and international industry leaders. The gala dinner also will feature the presentation of an award to the Russian Diamond Chamber, congratulating the sister bourse on the 10th anniversary since its founding.

Among the industry leaders who have already confirmed their participation are Ernest Blom, president of the WFDB; Gaetano Cavalieri, president of CIBJO; Eli Izhakoff, chairman of the World Diamond Council; and Avi Paz, vice president of the WFDB and president of the Israel Diamond Exchange.

MDB membership, which currently stands at over 40, has more than doubled since the beginning of the year, and today counts members from Russia, the Ukraine, Belarus, and Latvia.