Panama Diamond Exchange Official Launch on Friday
October 19, 08
In the presence of government ministers and leaders of the global diamond and jewelry industries, the Panama Diamond Exchange will mark its official launch on Friday, October 24.
When complete, exchange will be Latin America' first and only complex dedicated to the secure and orderly trade in diamonds, gemstones and jewelry.
Among the industry leaders attending are Avi Paz, President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB); Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO, The World Jewellery Confederation; Eli Izhakoff, Chairman of the World Diamond Council; Jacob Banda, President of the Diamond Dealers Club of New York; and Alex Popov, president of the Moscow Diamond Exchange.
To encourage the development of Panama as Latin America's central hub for diamonds, the government has agreed to move forward with a plan to grant the exchange area with permanent Free Zone status.
A Panama government representative is expected to attend for the Plenary Session of the Kimberley Process in Delhi, India in November.
The new Panama Diamond Exchange Tower will be built on a plot of land located nearby Panama City's business center and in close proximity to the country's main international airport.
The exchange will feature a secure and state of the art high-rise building that will house company offices, showrooms, gem labs and banks. It also will serve as the permanent residence of the Panama Diamond Exchange, which in May of this year was accepted as Latin America's only member in the World Federation of Diamond Bourses.
“This truly is momentous event,” said Erez Akerman, president of the Panama Diamond Exchange. “Anchored by our bourse, the new complex will provide the infrastructure that will enable Latin America develop into the next great diamond market.”