The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), the licensing authority for the Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) Free Zone and the Dubai Diamond Exchange, will host the inaugural Dubai Diamond Conference on March 18 and 19.

The conference will be held at the Almas Tower in the JLT Free Zone, the tallest commercial tower in the Middle East and home to more than 1 000 diamond, precious metals, precious stones and jewellery companies.

“In a mere ten years and in line with the vision and determination of Dubai’s leadership, the emirate has become one of the leading diamond centres in the world. This year will be pivotal for the global diamond trade and at DMCC we are honoured to host and bring together our valued trading partners from across the globe to experience first-hand how Dubai has quickly become an essential part of the trade route for diamonds, known as the New Silk Route,” DMCC executive chairperson Ahmed Bin Sulayem said in a media release.

The two-day conference would bring together international leaders of the diamond industry, ranging from African Ministers, traders and financiers to 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, the DMCC said in a media release.

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 in the New Silk Route.

“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 the producing countries in Africa and the major consumers in the Americas, Europe and Asia,” Dubai Diamond Exchange chairperson Peter Meeus said.
“As the only diamond industry conference in the region, the Dubai Diamond Exchange will welcome Ministers of mines from key African countries, leading diamantaires, industry experts and trade members from around the world to discuss the opportunities arising as a result of this shift, how to manage this shift and further cement relationships between these international market participants.”

Dubai’s strong leadership and vision have enabled the emirate to quickly transform itself into a key link in the global transport and distribution system. Since its inception in 2002, the DMCC has complemented this strategic vision by focusing on establishing Dubai as the global gateway to commodities trade through building and enhancing its physical and financial infrastructure, regulations and products and services, including the launch of the Dubai Diamond Exchange and the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange.