Conference to highlight Dubai's pearling heritage

Dubai: The Dubai Pearl Exchange, a subsidiary of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), will host the first World Pearl Forum with the objective of bringing together global pearl leaders in Dubai.

It will look at ways to develop the worldwide market for pearl jewellery. The event will be held at the Atlantis Hotel, Palm Jumeirah in February.

The initiative, sponsored by Dubai World, is in accordance with DMCC's continuing effort to revitalise the global pearl trade and build on Dubai's historic status as the pearl centre of the Gulf.

The World Pearl Forum will see participation from more than 200 leading pearl specialists from across the world.

Senior representatives from pearl producers, national pearl bodies, certification specialists and jewellery trade experts will gather in Dubai to address the opportunities and debate the latest challenges in the global pearl sector.

"There is currently an unprecedented opportunity for Dubai to take a leadership role in shaping the global pearl sector, while at the same time underscoring Dubai's heritage as the traditional pearl capital of the world," said Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai World.

"Globally pearls have witnessed a recent resurgence, and Dubai needs to leverage this development to drive international interest in pearl trading. Initiatives like the World Pearl Forum will undoubtedly reposition Dubai at the heart of this industry," he said recently.

Pearls represent about two per cent of the global jewellery trade, but studies show that the pearl trade has significant growth potential if all players collaborate to promote consumer awareness for the gem.

"The objective behind the first-ever World Pearl Forum is to create a long-term platform for international debate on how to further develop the pearl sector globally, through a cohesive approach to educating consumers and fostering demand for pearls. Through the Forum, the Dubai Pearl Exchange plans to unite the industry by highlighting areas of opportunity as well as identifying integrated programmes that will involve all stakeholders of the global pearl trade," said Ahmad Bin Sulayem, executive chairman of DMCC.

Case studies

The inaugural World Pearl Forum will address several fundamental issues including the critical need for greater consumer understanding about the value of pearls, and ways in which the industry must unite to drive consumer demand.

Pearl producers and government pearling bodies are also expected to present case studies on their growth and strategies to increase pearl sales.

"We anticipate that this event will galvanise key members of the pearl trade to better represent the luxury, value, and economic potential of the pearl itself," said Gaiti Rabbani, executive director for coloured stones and pearls at DMCC.

Nicholas Paspaley, executive chairman of Paspaley, Robert Wan, chairman of Robert Wan Tahiti, Noriyuki Morita, president of K. Mikimoto & Co, Robert Cepek, managing director of Iridesse, and Jack Ogden, chief executive of the Gemological Association of Great Britain are scheduled to speak at the event.