Past event summary

About the event

DMCC, one of the world’s leading commodity hubs for trade and enterprise, opened the 37th World Diamond Congress, the biennial meeting of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA), at Almas Tower with over 200 global industry leaders in attendance.

The Congress, which took place from May 16 to 19, addressed the topics of 'Transparency, Responsibility, Sustainability. The opening day concluded with a Dubai Diamond Finance Seminar, the second of a series held by the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE) on financing options and how Dubai’s trade infrastructure and financial institutions can further support the diamond trade. Panelist were: Rajiv Jain, Head United Arab Emirates Diamond & Jewellery Clients, ABN-Amro; Biju Patnaik, Head – Gem & Jewellery Segment, IndusInd Bank Limited; Davy Blommaert, Unit Head for Precious Metals and Diamonds, National Bank of Fujaira and Alain Vandenborre, Executive Chairman & Founder, SDiX.

The second day opened with a major session on financing for the global diamond and jewellery industry as well as the need for financial transparency. Speeches were followed by a panel session including Howard Davies and Feriel Zerouki of De Beers, David Bouffard from Signet Jewelers Ltd, and Mahesh Khemlani, President of the Panama Diamond Exchange. The rest of the day took up working sessions of the WFDB and IDMA before the Congress Gala Dinner.

The final day of the Congress featured a panel session entitled 'Transparency, Responsibility, Sustainability in Producing Countries' featuring several guest panelists. The Congress ended with a press conference where Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC; Ernie Blom, President, WFDB; Maxim Shkadov, President, IDMA and Peter Meeus, Chairman, Dubai Diamond Exchange, presented their views on the major issues of the meetings and answered questions from the media.
 

View the event image gallery here: 37th World Diamond Congress