Istanbul Bourse Signs Agreement With World Diamond Mark Foundation
June 16, 14
 WDMF Chairman Alex Popov and Dr. Ibrahim M. |
The MoU was signed by WDMF Chairman Alex Popov and Dr. Ibrahim M. Turhan, Chairman and CEO of Borsa İstanbul, which is one of the 28 bourses worldwide affiliated to the WFDB.
The signing ceremony, held at the 36th World Diamond Congress in Antwerp, followed many months of negotiations and preparations between the two organizations and marks the start of the World Diamond Mark (WDM) launch in Turkey.
"With the Borsa İstanbul as a partner, the World Diamond Mark will gain strong, internal support for reaching out to key organizations and retailers in Turkey," Popov said. "In practical terms, it means that the WDM's first pilot program for accredited retail members, i.e. Authorized Diamond Dealers (ADDs), will begin in Turkey, one of the most exciting, and rapidly growing luxury product consumer markets."
Meanwhile, Turhan said: "We're very honored to cement this relationship with the WDMF here in Antwerp, during this top networking event of the international diamond industry and trade. The planning of our joint promotional activities will start with a possible roll out in late 2014/early 2015.
"Therefore, this MoU is significant step toward the proliferation of the WDM programs in Turkey. Borsa İstanbul and WDMF both seek to sustain and improve consumer confidence for diamond and diamond jewelry worldwide. We look forward to advance WDMF's main objective, i.e. to accredit retailers and multiply the sales in diamond markets," he stated.