The global economic crisis will be the key topic under discussion at the World Jewellery Confederation’s 2009 Congress which begins in Istanbul this Sunday.
Held in the historic Ciragan Palace Kempinski, the three-day CIBJO Congress will focus on the strategies that the jewellery industry needs to adopt to survive the world economic downturn.
CIBJO President Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri said the congress “will be held during what most believe is undoubtedly the most severe crisis to have hit the world economy in the past 80 years”.
“The issues that we will be discussing are of critical importance to our industry, which currently is searching for solutions to sustain itself during the downturn, so that it is positioned to emerge strongly when the markets begin to recover,” he said.
“The fact that Turkey is hosting the event is very significant. Like no other market, the country represents a blend of East and West, and it has helped unlock the fast developing markets in the republics of the former Soviet Union, as well as in the Middle East.
“Turkey also represents a strong jewellery market in its own right, and it is an economical jewellery design and manufacturing centre within just a few hours flying time from Western Europe.
“It is exactly the type of the centre that we need to look to in difficult times such as these.”
Held each year, the CIBJO Congress serves as the venue for the meeting of the World Jewellery Confederation’s general assembly, which is the organisation’s primary decision making body.
For more information visit www.cibjo.org