200 delegates confirmed

Event brings together leading minds in the precious metals industry

Dubai, UAE: 2 April 2012 - The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre ('DMCC'), the licensing authority for the Jumeirah Lakes Towers ('JLT') Free Zone, and Foretell Business Solutions Private Limited, one of India's leading commodities research firms, are pleased to announce the inaugural Dubai Precious Metals Conference ('DPMC'). The conference will be held on the 29th and 30th April 2012 at the Almas Tower in JLT; the Middle East's tallest commercial tower.

The two-day conference will bring together key participants from the international precious metals sector to discuss trends and latest developments in the global precious metals market, examining issues ranging from marketing to trade, finance to technology. The programme will address challenges and growth opportunities of the sector and include discussions on how Dubai and the UAE can stay ahead of the curve with regards to trade infrastructure and innovation, thus ensuring its role as the region's major trading centre for precious metals.

Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC, said:

"DMCC's inaugural Dubai Precious Metals Conference is another example of our ongoing commitment to enhancing commodities trade through Dubai and the UAE. Over the last decade, DMCC has successfully supported the commodities trade by providing an ideal physical infrastructure, a fit-for-purpose regulatory framework as well as innovative products and value-added services, which has made the JLT Free Zone the premier destination for multinationals and major regional industry players from a range of commodity sectors and beyond.

Through initiatives like this new addition to the global precious metals calendar, we are looking to promote the growth of the industry and ensure the continued positioning of Dubai as one of the world's leading precious metals centres."

Senior-level speakers will provide attendees with insights from their respective roles in the precious metals value chain ranging from bullion operations to trading, procurement services, financing and more.

"This is a significant time for the precious metals industry, which has witnessed considerable movement in recent months due to unprecedented developments in the global economy," said Gerhard Schubert, Head of Precious Metals, Emirates NBD, and Co-Presenting Sponsor of DPMC. "It is essential that all stakeholders come together to discuss trends and lay down new strategies for the sustained growth of the precious metals industry. Emirates NBD is honoured to support the Dubai Precious Metals Conference, which is an ideal forum bringing together industry players, analysts, investment experts, retail merchants and economists, and we look forward to participating in the informative discussions at the event."

Alison Burns, Regional Head of Precious Metals, Standard Bank, added:

"Standard Bank's key strategic objectives are to preserve and develop its global Natural Resources franchise and, in particular, to promote and encourage cross border flows, notably into, out of and across Africa. We believe the Middle East plays a unique role in directing investment into Africa and we are delighted to be a co-presenting sponsor of this year's conference.

Although gold will feature prominently throughout the conference, there will be a keen focus on the progress of silver and platinum group metals, especially from the point of view of international investors. We look forward to contributing to the broad spectrum of local and international experts with input from our own Head of Commodities Research, Mr. Walter De Wet."

G Srivatsava, President Foretell Business Solutions Pvt Ltd, co-organiser of the conference said:

"The Middle East region is a US$ 1 trillion economy, growing at a rate of over 5%pa. Dubai seamlessly connects the West and the East and is obviously the natural choice for the region's first conference on Precious Metals.

DPMC strives to bring together key decision-makers in the precious metals industry to deliberate on the core theme of transforming Dubai into the precious metals hub for the MENA region. Foretell Business Solutions Private Limited, India, is honoured to be a part of this prestigious conference hosted and co-organised by DMCC."

To date the Dubai Precious Metals Conference has close to 200 registered delegates from across the precious metals value chain, including miners, refineries, trading companies, banks and logistics companies. The event has been well received by the local community and industry bodies from across the globe, including delegations from Mexico, Turkey, India, and China which have registered to attend the event. Further details on the conference and speakers can be found on www.dpmc.ae.

The Dubai Precious Metals Conference is the latest initiative of DMCC aimed at reinforcing Dubai's role as a global commodities hub. DMCC has introduced and supported a number of products and services that enhance the precious metals trade, including the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX), the Dubai Good Delivery (DGD) standard, the Shariah-compliant Dubai Gold Securities ETF, the Visions of Dubai gold coins, and the UAE's first bullion coins. 

As a result, Dubai today is one of the fastest growing gold centres in the world. One of the largest physical re-distributors of gold with more than 130 countries serving as import partners, Dubai connects trade flows to and from the Indian subcontinent, South East Asia, Europe and Africa.

About The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is a strategic initiative of the Government of Dubai, was established in 2002, with a mandate to provide the physical, market and financial infrastructure required to set up a commodities market place in Dubai. The Centre attracts key players throughout the entire value chain of a wide range of commodities sectors, together with relevant support industries such as finance, logistics and insurance. DMCC has established a robust infrastructure, including free zone status, trade networking platforms, secure vaults and purpose-built storage facilities. Resident companies of DMCC are offered highly attractive benefits under a free zone status, including a 50-year guaranteed tax holiday, 100 per cent business ownership, full ownership of business premises, and a secure regulated environment. DMCC has also implemented a dedicated compliance policy in the organisation, which is in line with the compliance related laws and regulations of the UAE Federal Government and the competent international bodies. DMCC owns three fully operational towers which host the majority of the physical, market and financial infrastructure including the Jewellery & Gemplex facility, the specialized diamond and pearl exchanges and gold vaults.

About Foretell Business Solutions Private Limited
Foretell Business Solutions Private Limited, India's most authentic information and research firm on commodities. Foretell, incorporated in 1996, is a Bangalore-based agri-business and commodity research firm. Foretell stands for authenticity, independent and unbiased research and is committed to making client's business more profitable through its relevant products and services. 

Foretell serves its clients through information and data services, trade / procurement advisory and specific consulting. Foretell organizes several path-breaking seminars and conferences for the benefit of commodity participants. Foretell flagship event India International Gold Convention - IIGC which is held in India since 2004 is rated as one of the best. It brings together the world bullion industry under one platform. Last year it was attended by more that 450 delegates from around the world.

For media enquiries:
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
Sandra Vetter Sloan
Director, Marketing & Communication
+971 4 433 6274
sandra.sloan@dmcc.ae

Brunswick Group
Katharine Crallé
+971 56 174 0292
kcralle@brunswickgroup.com 

© Press Release 2012