N e w s

The conference is said to be an important event in Russian sector of precious metals and gemstones.

It is a large-scale event indeed - usually there are 350-400 participants among whom the heads of ministries and departments, large companies and banks, experts, scientists and journalists.

There are applications for participation from abroad: representatives from Armenia, Byelorussia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Great Britain, German, Italy, China, The USA, Japan, Switzerland etc. have expressed their wish to take part in the conference in 2002.

The importance of the conference is hard to overestimate. It influences considerably the general social and economical state of the sector. In this connection it is very important that in the recent past Russian banks have increased the sector investment; the volume of gold, platinum, diamonds mining is growing as well; jewellery trade is developing.

It is the first time that the problem of Russia's entry to WTO is going to be discussed during four international symposiums at once in the frames of the conference. This is the list of the symposiums: "The development of diamond and jewellery market", "Automobile catalysts: production and application", "Investment in the precious metals and gemstones mining and production, and their application" and "The development of precious metals production and application".

As a result of the conference in 2001 the Chamber of Commerce and Industry has decided to establish a new committee on business undertaking in precious metals and gemstones sphere support. Valeriy Rudakov was elected the Head of the committee.

Indeed, Russian sector of precious metals and gemstones seems to have an important event at the end of October.