DMCC host inaugural Dubai Diamond Conference

Conference discusses diamond trading, banking and finance along the “New Silk Route” for diamonds

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (‘DMCC’), the licensing authority for the Jumeirah Lakes Towers (‘JLT’) Free Zone and the Dubai Diamond Exchange (‘DDE’) are hosting the inaugural Dubai Diamond Conference (‘DDC’) on the 18th and 19th March 2013. The conference is held at the Almas Tower in JLT; the Middle East’s tallest commercial tower and home to over 1,000 diamond, precious metals, precious stones and jewellery companies.

The two-day conference brings together international leaders of the diamond industry ranging from African Ministers to traders, financiers and world-renowned jewellers. The programme will leverage the delegates’ varied range of experience and perspective to fuel dynamic discussions stimulating innovation and growth in the African, Middle Eastern and Asian diamond industry in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

In a short 10 years Dubai has become one of the leading diamond centres in the world. 2013 will be a pivotal year for the global diamond trade and the city strives to become an essential part of the ‘New Silk Route”.

The conference will provide an opportunity to build relationships between companies and governments in producing and consumer countries, with a focus on the role that the Middle East plays along the trade route for diamonds – also known as the New Silk Route.

Keynote speakers such as Hon. Susan Shabangu, Minister of Mineral Resources of the Republic of South Africa; Hon. Dr. Obert Moses Mpofu, Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Republic of Zimbabwe; Hon. Prof. Dr. Francisco Queiroz, Minister of Geology, Mines and Industry, Republic of Angola; and Hon. Isak Katali, Minister of Mines and Energy of the Republic of Namibia will provide attendees with insights from their respective roles covering topics ranging from mining to polishing, trading to finance and diamond banking.

Peter Meeus, Chairman, DDE, said: “The global diamond industry is going through a historic transformation, with the centre of gravity shifting significantly eastwards to Africa, the Middle East, India and China. Asia polishes, Africa has the rough diamonds, and Dubai has the trade links to both the producing countries in Africa and the major consumers in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Dubai’s strong leadership and vision has enabled the Emirate to quickly transform itself into a key link in the global transport and distribution system. Since its inception in 2002, DMCC has complemented this strategic vision by focussing on establishing Dubai as the global gateway for commodities trade by building and enhancing its physical and financial infrastructure, regulation, products and services, including the launch of the DDE and the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (‘DGCX’). During this time, Dubai has successfully positioned itself as one of the leading international diamond centres among the likes of Antwerp, New York and Mumbai.