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La Marquise Jewellery Expanding beyond GCC
Shankar Ramanathan
Director - International Business & Marketing
La Marquise Diamonds & Watches DMCC
 In an exclusive with Shankar Ramanathan, Director - International Business & Marketing, La Marquise Diamonds & Watches DMCC - 'The New Jeweller' finds more about recent developments in the global diamond industry and the way ahead. Excerpts:
- Year 2015 has been very volatile for the global diamond and jewellery-manufacturing sector. How would you like to summarise the year gone by with regard to La Marquise.
The year 2015 was overall a decent year for La Marquise. Market penetration is the easiest when the economy is seeing a downturn. Being into International Business I could take this to my advantage to start penetrating into newer markets. Armed with a strong workforce and backup from our parent company Brilliant Diamonds LLC, we have seen growth in 2015.
- As a global diamond jewellery brand - which are the economies or markets you think would be lucrative during year 2016, and Why?
Markets are like the perpetual seesaw. So when one market is seeing a downturn there are other markets, which rise. This is how even the market economy works. Other than our current market Middle East, we are focusing in Europe, African and the South American markets.
- How important are the Middle East markets for 'La Marquise Jewellery'. What has been your experience in the region?
La Marquise was conceptualized, created and grown phenomenally in the Middle East. Even at the worst economic situations, Middle East has offered us the best of business. La Marquise specializes in high-end jewellery and bridal sets. The only market, which I feel is highly lucrative for bridal products, is the Middle East. However global expansion is our current focus.
- Please tell us more about the 'La Marquise Jewellery Group' and what is your marketing and expansion plans for this year?
La Marquise is the only Mine-to-Retail integrated brand in the Middle East. Being an arm of the leading wholesale diamond company Brilliant Diamond LLC, La Marquise has a strong hold in acquiring the finest quality of diamonds. We are one of the largest manufacturers of superior quality Diamond Jewellery in Dubai, boasting a wide collection of exquisitely hand crafted Diamond jewellery by our talented craftsmen. La Marquise has an array of retail outlets in major malls of UAE with a new outlet opening soon in Qatar. Our wholesale jewellery division caters to the market demands from different parts of the world. Unlike other commodities gold and platinum, diamonds have only one significant use as jewellery to be worn. Jewellery industry accounts to almost 99% of the Diamond market value. I clearly see the demand will rise in 2016 and hence expansion in UK and United States is on cards for us.
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