Mumbai: India’s Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) had organized a seminar to address Industry members, titled, “Polishing Our Future” on 11th October 2024 at BDB Convention Hall, Mumbai. Inviting world renowned speakers like Paul Zimnisky, Diamond analyst and expert, Tawhid Abdullah, CEO Jawhara Jewellery Group, Amit Pratihari, Managing Director, India, De Beers, Ananthanarayanan Hariharan, Head Retail and Merchandising, Novel Jewels, Aditya Birla Management Corporation Pvt Ltd, David Bouffard, CEO David Bouffard Consulting LLP, and Mr. Devdutt Patnaik, Mythologist and Author. Bharat Diamond Bourse set the stage for the Diamond Industry members to not only prepare for a sustainable future but also helped participants foresee economic realities and its impact on consumer markets such as US, China, India, and Middle Eastern markets. The presentations were over two sessions moderated by Mrs. Nirupa Bhatt, Ex Managing Director, India & Middle East, GIA, presently Independent Director and Business Leadership Coach, and Mr. Pranay Narvekar, Founder, Pharos Beam Consulting. This Leadership event was the first of the many engagements that Bharat Diamond Bourse is planning for the Diamond Industry members.
Kicking off the sessions was a keynote address by Mr. Anoop Mehta who spoke about the current challenges that the industry is facing and how this seminar would help the members overcome challenges by giving an insight through expert presentations.
Post which Mr. Sriram Natarajan, Managing Director GIA India addressed the members and enlightened on the current phase that the Industry is in and encouraged the members on the sustainable and growth-oriented course of actions that the industry needs to take.
Mr. Paul Zimnisky shared his analysis on International markets with emphasis on US, Europe, India and China and presented information to understand the demand and supply scenario in the near future. He also presented his views on the Lab Grown diamond sector and its future.
Mr. Tawhid Abdullah made an interesting presentation on the growing Middle Eastern markets emphasizing on Saudi Arabia that is attracting Manufacturing sector. He also spoke about the growing importance of Dubai as an important gateway to the world and a fast-growing market with world’s largest multinational consumers making Dubai their home.
Mr. Amit Pratihari took the stage and showcased exclusive and recent videos and social media promotion carried out by De Beers and delved on the importance of the tasks carried out by De Beers in India and other countries.
Mr. Ananthanarayanan Hariharan spoke on the next gen consumers and how the industry would react in an era where digital media takes over the preferences of genz.
Mr. David Bouffard over an online presentation spoke on the importance of sustainability for a formidable future of the industry and added India has the potential to drive international markets.
Lastly Mr. Devdutt Patnaik spoke from a spiritual and mythological point of view. He referred to historical instances and the archival era while relating to the current state of the Business and importance of understanding consumers’ needs.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Mehul while thanking the speakers and participants on their involvement stressed on the need for more such engagements where Industry members can be made aware of national as well as International happenings that will help prepare them for a sustainable and profitable future. Subbu, editor, The New Jeweller International Media group anchored the sessions.
All in all, the address “Polishing our Future” was a huge success as all the participants applauded the initiative of BDB and dispersed asking for more. The seminar ” Polishing Our Future” was sponsored by International Gemological Institute [IGI] and Gemological Institute of America [GIA].
