The annual congress of CIBJO, The World Jewellery Confederation, will take place March 4- 7, 2005, at the Island Shangri-La Hotel in Hong Kong. The theme of the 2005 CIBJO Congress will be “Maintaining Consumer Confidence While Facing New Challenges in the Jewellery Industry.”

CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri said he was very pleased the event would take place at one of the chief trading gateways to China. “While it remains the springboard in the jewelry markets of much of Southeast Asia, Hong Kong in recent years has achieved its greatest attentions an a primary entry point into the mainland Chinese market. At the CIBJO Congress in March, we will look at the opportunities that exist in the region for the jewelry industry and trade.”

However, he adds that there are also challenges. “New manufacturing centres and markets need to formulate and adapt best business practices, and consumers often must be educated as how to measure and understand those procedures. To a very great degree, the growth of the jewelry business will depend on how these practices are devised and implemented, and I am confident that in Hong Kong will be provided the opportunity to not only glance into the crystal ball, but also to influence future developments,” he stated.

Members of the of the jewelry and gemstone sectors, as well as representatives of the trade press, who are interested in attending the 2005 CIBJO Congress, should contact the CIBJO head office (tel: +39 (02) 4997-7097/8; fax: +39 (02) 4997-7059, email: cibjo@cibjo.org) for congress and hotel reservation forms. The final deadline for reservations is Feb. 15, 2005.

To view the congress venue, go to www.shangri-la.com/Island

JCK