More than 150 delegates from leading pearl producing nations will be attending the inaugural World Pearl Forum, to be held Feb. 17 and 18 at the Atlantis Hotel, Palm Jumeirah.

The forum, supported by Dubai World, will host 22 pearl experts from the U.S. to China, highlighting initiatives to consolidate the fragmented global pearl sector, for increased growth potential in 2009 and beyond. The forum is organized by the Dubai Pearl Exchange, a subsidiary of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre.

Senior representatives from pearl producers, national pearl bodies, certification specialists, and jewelry trade experts will attend the forum, which will address fundamental issues and allow with the opportunity to debate the latest challenges in the global pearl sector. 

In addition to strong international attendance, HRH princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, will be attending the forum.

“Her presence and participation truly epitomizes our objective in revitalizing Dubai’s ancient pearling heritage in a contemporary manner, strengthening the Emirate’s leadership role in shaping the global pearl sector,” said Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman, DMCC. “It also underlines the support that this project continues to receive from the Government of Dubai.”

A core objective of the forum is to highlight the importance of reviving the global pearl trade, and focus on revitalizing Dubai’s historic status as a pearl trading hub.

“Despite challenging financial conditions, the world’s most significant pearl producers are joining traders, industry experts, and other pearl stakeholders in Dubai next month to speak candidly about the state of the industry and how to collaborate more closely to create visibility and opportunity for this commodity.    When we designed and launched the inaugural forum, the world was a very different place, and today’s reality calls for industry collaboration more than ever before,” said Gaiti Rabbani, executive director – Coloured Stones & Pearls, DMCC. “The program will highlight and address the very concerns that face luxury industries across the world,”

Less than a century ago, pearling was a key industry for Arabia, accounting for some 80,000 jobs in the UAE alone and representing 95 percent of the country’s total revenues. Dubai Pearl Exchange’s objective is to develop the global and regional pearl market with specific focus on trading, grading, trade events and auctions alongside trade and consumer education. The World Pearl Forum represents just one component of Dubai’s comprehensive pearl strategy to revive the region’s historic legacy.

JCK