Dubai occupies an important role in the diamond industry as it is a bridge between Africa and the rest of the world, according to De Beers chief executive Al Cook.
He told the Dubai Diamond Conference that this position was of immense responsibility.
“I say that because De Beers knows all about it, we have been a company connecting Africa to the rest of the world,” he said.
Cook said while other economies have struggled, Dubai grew, becoming the marketplace for the world.
He also praised the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) executive chairperson and chief executive Ahmed Bin Sulayem for steering the Kimberley Process ship.
“The diamond industry has benefitted from Dubai’s capability in maintaining and strengthening under the leadership of Ahmed Bin Sulayem,” he said to applause from the delegates.
“Since he took on the role as chair of the Kimberley Process, he has driven a new level of transparency in the KP certification process, and at a time when consumers care more and more about the provenance of what they buy, I applaud this achievement.”
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor-In-Chief, Rough & Polished, from Dubai, United Arab Emirates
