UAE Kimberley Process hosts high-level security workshop

The main topic of discussion was a plan to establish additional security measures at the Dubai International Airport around the import and export procedures for rough diamonds.

Maryam Al Hashemi, UAE's Kimberley Process - Director, said:"We are constantly reviewing our security measures in accordance with international best practice and the federal authority. Passengers at Dubai Airport are expected to increase to 90 million and growth in the number of Kimberley Process Certificates issued is expected to increase by 33% in 2012. With this growth in mind, we held a multi-stakeholder working group including, Dubai Police and Dubai Customs, to discuss various initiatives to boost security by checking and apprehending passengers, prior to boarding, on suspicion of carrying non-KP approved rough diamonds."

These initiatives build upon the security framework originally deployed when the KP Certificate Scheme (KPCS) was implemented in the UAE in 2003, in compliance with local laws. KPCS is the process designed to certify the origin of rough diamonds. The certification scheme aims to prevent blood diamonds from entering into the legitimate rough diamond market. The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority is the only entry and exit point for rough diamonds in the country. It is imperative for the growth and sustainability of the industry that the KPCS is enforced with the latest security measures to prevent the smuggling of illegitimate rough diamonds.

Brigadier Pilot Ahmad bin Thani, Director General of the Department of Airport Security in Dubai Police comments:n"We want to ensure best efforts are made to reduce the risk of illegal diamonds entering or exiting, while not inhibiting the legal trade. We are considering various options and have also put into practice several initiatives to meet attempted smugglings. Finding the balance is not an easy task, but we are working diligently to lead that effort. We want to make the UAE one of the most secure countries in the world."

Also present at the workshop were Mr. Ali Fayel, Director of Certificate of Origin at the Ministry of Economy; and Mr. Ali Al Mugahwi, Director of Airport Operations in Dubai Customs.

Mr. Ali Fayel added: "The Ministry of Economy complements the broader aim of the UAE Government Strategy. To ensure continued growth and prosperity of the diamond trade in the UAE all the stakeholders must be committed to implementing the Kimberley Process, only then can the UAE become the global hub for diamonds."