The Middle East will lead the world out of the current economic turmoil, according to 76 percent of the business leaders who participated in a survey conducted by CONNECT—World CEO Forum. Almost two-thirds of the respondents said they were ‘very optimistic’ about the long-term prospects for their companies in the Middle East, while another 33 % said they were ‘optimistic’. On the outlook for this year, 66 % said they were ‘optimistic’ or ‘very optimistic’.

“The long-term fundamentals of this region have not gone away overnight and business leaders clearly see the Middle East as a great opportunity,” remarked James Magee, CEO, the 4^th CONNECT-World CEO Forum to be held in Dubai, UAE from 17 to 19 March 2009.

The Thai Ministry of Commerce has joined forces with state agencies and industry bodies in the Kingdom to encourage rough gems traders to abide by official regulations in their conduct of business and thereby ensure its pre-eminence in the global marketplace. The drive is part of the Ministry’s continuing efforts in tandem with the Ministry of Finance and the Thai Gems & Jewellery Traders Association (TGJTA) to encourage investment and boost trade in the country and exports overseas.

The world’s premier premium jeweller Graff will launch the worldwide debut of the Graff Time’s Collection One at Baselworld 2009. The design is inspired by the multifaceted round cut shape and the mystery of diamonds. Graff Time Collection One for men and ladies ranges from elegantly sport-spirited models with black finish to those set entirely with diamonds. To bring Graff Time timepieces to life, Laurence Graff called on the expertise and experience of Michel Pitteloud, leading an international team of specialists.

Graff timepieces are crafted in 18-carat white, pink and yellow gold, some in platinum. Crowns are all tipped with a briolette diamond. On most models, the dial features a triangular emerald-set Graff hour marker at the 12.00 o’clock position. Graff timepieces house Swiss self-winding mechanical or quartz movements exclusively. A Graff Time tourbillon watch and a Graff chronograph in a choice of styles are the first complications to be issued.

Cementing its bond with the game of Polo, luxury Swiss watch-maker Jaeger-LeCoultre recently organized and sponsored a Polo Clinic at the Desert Palm in Dubai, UAE conducted by Nick Roland, the renowned US Polo champion. On this occasion, Jaeger-LeCoultre presented the Reverso Squadra World Chronograph Polo Field. Adolfo Cambiaso, the international Polo champion & Brand Ambassador for Jaeger-LeCoultre made the event special with his star presence.

The House of Dhamani has recently opened its new diamond jewellery boutique at the Dubai Mall. Present on the occasion were brothers Rohit and Manish Dhamani, Joint Managing Directors, Dhamani Jewellery; Leila Suhail, Chief Marketing Officer, Dubai Shopping Festival and Peter Meeus, Special Adviser, Diamonds at Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC).

US actress Demi Moore & US-Dominican actress Zoe Saldana were recently spotted wearing jewellery fashioned by US designer Neil Lane at the Vanity Fair Domino Effect Ball in Hollywood. Demi Moore wore darkened platinum and diamond drop earrings and a large diamond & platinum cocktail ring. Zoe Saldana wore large gold earrings and gold rings.

The new Sutra Sport watches from the Diane Von Furstenberg (DVF) by H. Stern collection were seen among the oversized bold Sutra bracelets and Power Rings, which are now officially as iconic as her bold, colourful prints.

A direct evolution from the jewellery line, the Sutra watch collection encompasses the same strength, sophistication and style demanded by the contemporary woman. In addition to the Sutra Sport watch, the Sutra watch collection also comprises an ultra glamourous Sutra Diamond watch in 18-carat gold with a diamond-encrusted crown and the uniquely versatile Sutra pendant watch on 18-carat gold chain.

Tibaldi, Italy’s first fountain pen manufacturer (established 1916), has introduced the ‘Tibaldi for Riva’ writing instruments collection, marking the first ever collaboration with luxury powerboat manufacturer, Riva. Each Tibaldi for Riva model is an ornate accessory and a masterpiece of technological innovation. All Tibaldi pens have been developed and designed with precision and care usually reserved for high precision mechanical watches. Tibaldi for Riva is produced in a limited edition of 500 pens each for fountain and roller balls for each of the two colours Roman Bronze and Navy Blue.

Austrian clock maker & manufacturers of premium watch-winders, Buben & Zorweg, has introduced a new generation of the legendary Time Mover modules. A well-structured and clearly arranged control panel, which is easily operated via a cursor field and designed as a multi-lingual LCD Display, is the central element of the new Time Mover technology.

The 42-year old Italian Jewellery House of Stefan Hafner has unfurled one of its most awaited collections of the season—the Chic Chic combining the timeless elegance of pearls with the dazzling mystique of diamonds in white gold settings and offering earrings, necklaces, pendants and rings.

One of the models on offer is the drop earrings featuring a very interesting floral feature where round, pear and marquise shaped diamonds cluster together to form a six-petalled blossom sprouting amid a rich foliage of leaves.

For the first time since its inception, the world-famous Vicenza 2009 Exhibition to be held from 16 to 20 May in the heart of Italy’s jewellery-making region will play host to the Pan Arab Hall. The Vicenza Fair has put at the disposal of the great jewellers and designers of the Middle East, the entire Pavilion D1, where twelve high-end jewellery producers from the region will showcase their creations to the thousands of continental and international professionals and buyers coming for the Exhibition.

The D1 pavilion is located under the famous ‘Hollywood’, which hosted for several years the greatest names in Italian ‘Haute Joaillerie’.