The World Jewelry Hub (WJH) marked Diplomatic Day in Panama by hosting the country’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Augusto Arosemena, as guest of honor, together with ambassadors and representatives from a host of countries, at its facility in the Santa Maria Business District of Panama City.

It granted honorary membership to the Panamanian Minister of Commerce and Industry. Presenting the award to Mr Arosemena, WJH Chairman Eli Izhakoff paid tribute to the ongoing support provided to the World Jewelry Hub by the Government of Panama. “The decision to establish a jewelry, diamond and gemstone trading center here in Panama was deliberate, for the country is not only ideally positioned geographically, but it also is able to provide the commercial, fiscal and logistical facilities that are critical to our becoming the bridge between Latin America and the global trades,” he said.

“Mr Arosemena and his ministry play a critical role in making this possible, and we are most fortunate to be able to count on their support, as well as the support of other ministries in the Panamanian government.”

Since it began operations as Latin America’s only dedicated gemstone and jewelry trade center early in 2015, WJH has maintained close ties with members of the diplomatic corps in Panama, working with them in expanding commercial relations with their respective countries, both in Latin America and internationally. The diplomats were greeted at the World Jewelry Hub by Mr Izhakoff and Panama Diamond Exchange President Mahesh Khemlani, who guided them on a tour of the center and provided an overview of WJH’s development plans.

Mr Khemlani saluted the foreign diplomats attending the gathering. “Our business is intrinsically international, bringing people and nations together.” He further added that, “Success almost invariably comes as part of a cooperative effort, involving players in a number of countries. We count on you to making and strengthen the connections that unite our global village.”