The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has elected Hong Kong’s Ephraim Zion to its board of governors along with Jeffrey H. Fischer and James P. Shinehouse. GIA is the largest nonprofit institute for gemological research, education and grading and is amongst the world’s most foremost experts in the industry.

Ephraim Zion and his family are central figures in Hong Kong’s Jewish community. He first established his business there in 1971 and has become one of Asia’s leading dealers of large diamonds and high-end pieces. His business remains family owned and run.

Israeli jewellers are gearing up for the September Hong Kong Jewellery and Watch Fair to be held 15-19 September at the Asia WorldExpo and from 17-21 September at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

This event is the largest jewellery fair in Asia and the second largest diamond and gemstone fair in the world.

Mr Rami Ungar, an Israeli billionaire and entrepreneur, paid a visit to Vietnam in July. There he met with the Vietnam CEO Club and held open talks with respect to his views on the Vietnamese economy and the world economy.

He also shared some of his personal experiences and what he considers to be the key to success.

Groovy Map launched their Manila Map’n’Guide in June, adding one more city to their growing list of popular tourist orientation maps. With this new product, Groovy Map founder and managing director, Aaron Frankel, hopes to change the perception tourists have of the city.

Groovy Map Co. was founded in 1999 in Bangkok by Aaron Frankel who confesses that many considered this business venture, in its infancy, to be nothing more than a “questionable hobby”. The first Groovy Map printed was actually in 1996, Groovy Map ‘n’ Guide Bangkok and was a first print run of 1,000 copies, complete with hand-drawn cartoons.