In response to the appeal made by India's Gems and Jewellery Exports Promotion Council’s (GJEPC) to the Indian gem and jewellery indystry asking for a curb on rough supplies, Avi Paz, president of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) applauded the Council’s effort. %% Paz appreciated India’s growing emergence in the global industry and its active response to the economic crisis. He said "I think we can only stand in awe of the achievements of India's diamond gem and jewellery industry and trade, as well as the enormous growth of India's exports and sales in its domestic jewellery market.. India is a giant manufacturing, trading and consumer nation, and in the long term, I see an even greater, more diversified future for its diamond gem and jewellery sector." Vasant Mehta, the newly elected GJEPC chairman and also a vice-president of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA), explained the Council’s stand by stating last Thursday: "It is very vital that we maintain equilibrium between demand and supply and keep global stock and debt manageable during these challenging times."