The Diamond Trading Company (DTC) held its DTC Consumer Confidence Forum 2005, at the Hong Kong Jewellery & Watch Fair. The forum, initiated by the DTC to demonstrate its commitment to - and its confidence in - its sightholders and the enormous potential it sees in the Greater China market.%%With over 200 members of the jewellery industry in Asia participating this year, the forum featured leaders from the Greater China diamond industry and representatives of international laboratories and associations on their best practices to safeguard and enhance consumer confidence in the diamond industry.

Christina Hudson, Marketing Director for Greater China, DTC Asia Pacific, said, “The diamond industry in Greater China continues to offer strong opportunities for growth. Consumer Confidence is key to realising this potential as we truly believe that integrity, values and commercial worth of diamonds depend on the absolute trust and good will of consumers.”%%Christina Hudson, Marketing Director for Greater China, DTC Asia Pacific, said, “The diamond industry in Greater China continues to offer strong opportunities for growth. Consumer Confidence is key to realising this potential as we truly believe that integrity, values and commercial worth of diamonds depend on the absolute trust and good will of consumers.”%%The Greater China diamond jewellery market has grown significantly. In China, diamond jewellery sales were up by over 11 percent in 2004, the strongest growth seen in the past decade amid strong competition from housing, automobile and travel industries. Hong Kong and Taiwan also saw growth of 6-10 per cent.%%The DTC stated that it will invest US$9M in marketing promotions in Greater China this year, continuing to provide diamond education, create consumer desires and ensure the integrity of the whole industry.%%At the Fair, DTC also presented a collection of 17 award-winning pieces of diamond jewellery from “Diamonds: Nature’s Miracle”, an international design competition held by the company last year. Worth over HK$80 million and featuring 1,200 carats of sparkling diamonds, the collection was designed to bring out the mysterious charm of diamonds.