The Panama Diamond Exchange and Cámara de Joyería y Platería de Jalisco, Mexico's largest jewellery association have signed a collaboration agreement under which the PDE will provide different kinds of support services for the promotion and development of the jewellery business in Mexico. The agreement was signed by ErezAkerman, PDE President, and Miguel Cotero, President of Cámara de Joyería y Platería de Jalisco.

Mexico is Latin America's second largest economy and its largest luxury-product marketplace. PDE officials say that the collaboration is of critical importance, also because of the country plays a leadership role in the region.

Under the terms of the agreement, all members of the Mexican association will receive affiliate status at PDE as a result of which they will enjoy direct access to the trading floor of the exchange for purchase of diamonds, gemstones and jewellery.

On the other hand the Mexican association will liaise with the authorities at home to encourage the removal of any cumbersome trade barriers that exist between Mexico and Panama, to enable the easy and efficient movement of diamond, gemstone and jewellery merchandise between the two countries.

The two will also collaborate for a Mexico Diamond Week, in which a delegation of jewellers from Mexico will visit Panama, tour the PDE facilities and meet with its members with the aim of developing business relationships, and receive a customised educational programme about the diamond business both regionally and internationally. The visit is intended tpbe the first in a series of similar events.

"The establishment of a recognised diamond exchange in Latin America is an exciting development for the jewellery sector in Mexico," said Cotero. "Not only will it provide a substantial and ready supply of diamonds, it will bring together traders from across the region and the world."

 "For PDE, this agreement epitomises the very core of our mission, and that is to provide a structured trading environment that improves the prospects of the entire Latin American gemstone and jewelry sector," said Akerman.