High-end London-based jeweller Graff Diamonds is planning to list in Hong Kong on June 7, a report said Monday, as it seeks to raise up to $1.0 billion in one of the biggest IPOs this year. The firm plans to start taking orders from investors in a roadshow between May 21 and 31 and is set to price the initial public offering at the end of the event, according to a term sheet seen by Dow Jones Newswires. The IPO is set to be one of this year's blockbuster share sales after China's second largest brokerage Haitong Securities last month raised $1.68 billion from its Hong Kong IPO, the world's biggest so far this year. The jeweller's listing in Hong Kong will enable the company to raise its profile in Asia and tap the fast-growing luxury goods market on mainland China. China is forecast to be the world's top buyer of products such as cosmetics, handbags, watches, shoes and clothes by 2015, PriceWaterhouseCoopers has said. Graff Diamonds' presence in Asia includes boutiques in Hong … [Read more...] about Jeweller Graff aims for June listing in HK
Crown jewelers
A jewel in the crown for serviced apartments
Crowne Plaza West Hanoi Residences - Hanoi’s latest serviced apartment project - is offering big incentives for its last units. VIR’s Bich Ngoc talked with Michel Chertouh, general manager of Crowne Plaza West Hanoi Residences, about his expectations for the up and down serviced apartment market. Located in western Hanoi, what are the advantages of Crowne Plaza West Hanoi Residences? Ideally located in Hanoi’s upcoming CBD, Crowne Plaza West Hanoi Residences offers the most comfortable spacious apartments with an extensive range of services and facilities. Families moving to Hanoi can be assured an experience which allows them to live in a safe, friendly and comfortable environment under international management. Companies are moving office from the centre to western Hanoi is on the rise due to lower prices and higher incentives. What do you think about the demand for residences? My Dinh is becoming the new CBD for Hanoi city attracting corporate clients in a very … [Read more...] about A jewel in the crown for serviced apartments
Musician Thuan Yen, jewel in the crown of Vietnamese revolutionary music
(VOVworld) – Musician Thuan Yen has long been familiar to Vietnamese music lovers. His songs are very distinctive in contemporary music. He is considered a jewel in the crown of Vietnamese revolutionary music. Thuan Yen, formerly called Doan Huu Cong, was born in 1932 in Quang Nam province. He joined the national resistance in 1949 as an art officer of Inter-zone 5. Yen then studied songwriting at the Vietnam Music School now the Vietnam National Academy of Music. During the resistance war against US imperialists, he wrote songs encouraging young people to go to the front - songs like “We tie our backpacks” and “Green camouflage leaves”. And with a guitar, Yen accompanied soldiers to many battlefields of which Binh Tri Thien was the worst. Most of Yen’s songs were about President Ho Chi Minh. Those 26 songs touched generations of Vietnamese. Two of his songs - “Uncle Ho – an immense love” and “The central region misses … [Read more...] about Musician Thuan Yen, jewel in the crown of Vietnamese revolutionary music
Modi seeks Russian crown jewel in decade’s biggest defense deal
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads to Moscow after approving what’s set to be his nation’s biggest weapons deal with Russia since 2001, reaffirming a military partnership that newer suppliers like the U.S. will find difficult to dislodge. The S-400 air defense missile systems, which India plans to buy, are among the "crown jewels" of Russia’s defense capability, according to Jon Grevatt, Asia-Pacific defense-industry analyst for IHS Jane’s. The two-day visit starting Dec. 23 will also include a private dinner with Russian President Vladimir Putin and an event at the Kremlin with Russian and Indian chief executives. "Russia and India have a very strong partnership that the U.S. can only aspire to," said Grevatt. "Sales from America may ebb and flow, but the sales from Russia will remain strong because there are so many ongoing programs between the two countries." The $150 billion that Modi plans to spend to upgrade his military could be a welcome diversion … [Read more...] about Modi seeks Russian crown jewel in decade’s biggest defense deal
$120,000 jewels in the crown
Although the 2008 Miss Universe pageant in Nha Trang city is still two weeks away, the crown the winner will receive has already attracted great attention worldwide. Elegant: The gold crown inlaid with 1,000 precious stones will be used to crown the 2008 Miss Universe. — File Photo The Miss Universe Organisation recently unveiled the US$120,000 crown made of 18-carat white and yellow gold, which replaces the phoenix-rising crown used since 2002. The new crown has more than 1,000 precious stones, including 555 white 30-carat diamonds, 375 cognac 14-carat diamonds, 10 smoky quartz 20-carat crystals and 19 60-carat morganite gemstones. Phu Nhuan Jewellery is the creator of the crown, while Rosalina Tran Lydster of Jewellery by Rosalina and Dang Thi Kim Lien from CAO Fine Jewellery are the designers. The colours of the jewels have great significance as the crownmakers have chosen them to convey a special message. The yellow luster of the gold represents the thriving economy of … [Read more...] about $120,000 jewels in the crown