Permanent Secretary Yvonne Choi Joins Celebrations Marking EGL Asia's Triumphal First Year in Hong Kong and the Mainland

HONG KONG, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Emerging only slightly bruised from the globally impacted diamond industry, EGL Asia, the regional arm of leading international gemological laboratory EGL, marked it first anniversary September 22 at a reception held at the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel in Wanchai.

(Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2009/09/23/20090923311778.html )

Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Commerce, Industry and Tourism) Yvonne Choi, whose brief includes pitching high-value businesses to establish operations in Hong Kong, was a headline speaker at the event. Ms Choi said Hong Kong's role as a key diamond trading centre would only help accelerate recovery in the mainland's diamond sector.

EGL Asia CEO Joseph Kuzi echoed that opinion, announcing two key mainland partnerships. "We have successfully joined forces with NGGC (National Center of Quality Supervision & Inspection on Gold-Silver Products), China's leading diamond laboratory -- and we've also secured an agreement with leading online jewellery and diamond retailer 21GEM.com," Mr Kuzi said. "These partnerships are especially significant coming in our first year, which played out in an extremely troubled economy."

"EGL Asia's cutting edge technology for diamond assessment and certification is central to EGL's regional growth strategy," Mr Kuzi said. He added that EGL's uniquely fast and accurate service would quickly grow on the back of alliances with leading players across Asia.

For hi-res photos, please contact Jennie Chan at: 2540 6872 or jennie.chan@prontochina.com.

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