DMCC Executive Chairman receives special award at international jewellery conference in Turkey

Mr. Bin Sulayem received the award at the 2009 Congress of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), being held from May 3-6, 2009, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Hosted by Turkish Jewellery Association (JTR), this year's CIBJO congress was attended by H.E. Recep Tayip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey.

"I am honoured to receive this award, which serves as recognition of DMCC's ongoing contribution to growth and innovation in the global jewellery trade. Founded in 2002, DMCC was set up with a mandate to establish a commodity marketplace in Dubai, with a special focus on gold and precious gems," said Bin Sulayem.

"Today, the emirate is rightly known as the 'City of Gold' and has emerged as a strong centre for diamonds and precious gems trade. In less than seven years, DMCC and Dubai have made great strides in cementing the emirate's reputation as a centre for the global jewellery trade and we encourage traders to take advantage of the world-class infrastructure available in Dubai and through DMCC," he added.

"It is my great privilege to present this award to DMCC Chairman Ahmed bin Sulayem," said Inan Altinbaþ, President, Turkish Jewellery Association. "Bin Sulayem has been the driving force behind DMCC, and under his visionary leadership, the Centre has successfully facilitated growth in the jewellery trade. DMCC's association with the Turkish Jewellery industry has resulted in greater consumer confidence and the growth of the gold jewellery trade through exploiting mutual business synergies both in Turkey and the UAE."

Data from the Turkish Exporters' Union show continued growth in the export of Turkish Precious minerals and jewellery. In 2008 alone, exports of Turkish precious minerals and jewellery touched $1.5bn, up from $1.47bn in 2007.

According to the Statistics Department of Dubai World, Dubai's external trade with Turkey for gold jewellery has witnessed year on year growth in the last five years to reach Dhs1.56bn in 2008 - a 49% increase over 2007.

Since inception, the DMCC has focused on maximising the benefits from a strategic geographic location, to provide commodity traders in Dubai with a host of excellent initiatives to support and grow their trade. Some of the most recent initiatives include Dubai Gold Securities, the Almas Tower vault and DMCC Gold Convention 2009.

The World Jewellery Confederation, also known as the Confédération Internationale de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie et Orfèvrerie (CIBJO), holds its annual CIBJO Congress as a high-level platform for discussion among its General Assembly and members of the trade.

The 2009 CIBJO Congress is focussing on the impact of the global financial crisis and the consequent strategies that need to be adopted by the industry.