Asian Jewelry Groups Launch International Council

RAPAPORT... Two Asian organizations have formed a cross-border gem andjewelry industry group, aiming to improve international relations within thetrade. The Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS) and theJewelry Trade Center (JTC) have partnered to create the JTC-AIGS LeadersCouncil (JALC), a forum for discussing pressing issues within the industry, thegroups said Tuesday. "JALC is an initiative to enhance knowledge, improve skilland align the global and local gems and jewelry industries, and to bring aboutpositive change," said Barbara Wheat (pictured), vice president of international relationsand business development for the Ho Group, AIGS's parent company. The council will comprise jewelers, gemologists and other members of the trade, initially serving a five-year term. They include Jacques Prades,Pornsawat Watanakul, Masaki Furuya, Peyton Kelly, Joseph Belmont and NielsHansen. JTC founder and president Henry Ho will chair the first meeting inBangkok in September.