08 March 2009
Dubai - Dubai Customs organized a workshop on rough diamond and methods of identifying and examining it in collaboration with UAE Kimberly Organization Office, an Organization introduced by the United Nations to certify the origin of rough diamond from sources which are free of conflict.
The workshop was held at the Cargo Village Customs Center on 25th February 2009 with the attendance of 30 persons representing some relevant departments officials and inspection officers' operating at Dubai International Airport, Dubai Cargo Village, Dubai Flowers Center and Dubai Airport Multi-Commodities Center.
Maryam Al Hashemi, UAE Kimberly Organization Director delivered a presentation addressing types, forms, phases and origin of rough diamonds as well as methods of differentiating it from artificial diamonds and other precious stones and minerals.
She went on emphasizing the necessity of having a unique government certification based on Kimberly, a commercial invoice detailing the information needed and the value as a perquisite for exporting or importing any diamond consignment.
Mr. Mohammed Faraj Abdullah, Senior Manager of Customer Service at Airport Zone said: "the workshop comes within the framework of the existing work relations between Dubai Customs and Kimberly. We are keen to exchange expertise with Kimberly and identify the latest methods as to ensure the authenticity of exported and imported diamond consignments in line with the organizational strategy to enhance economic and social development and supporting legitimate trade."
"Dubai Customs is therefore seeking to procure state-of-the-art scanning and inspection equipments and develop employees and inspectors` skills by sending them to professional training courses and attending relevant workshops," he maintained.
Ms Al Hashemi pointed out in her presentation the importance of Kimberly as an international Organization to oversee and control legitimate rough diamond trade in the world.
"The UAE was the first Arab State acceding to Kimberly in 2002. The following year experienced opening of a Kimberly office at Dubai Cargo Village, which then shifted to Dubai International Airport Free Zone. It coordinates with different government departments over imported rough diamond in particular to ensure its authenticity and importation from one of the 74 Kimberly member states," she said.
Highlighting ways of identifying veracity of diamond consignment certifications, Ms. Al Hashemi added: "the Kimberly members are the only states authorized to export and import rough diamond where more than 99% of rough diamond trade takes place through the Kimberly scheme."
Underlining UAE position as a key backer to diamond legitimate trade movement, Ms. Al Hashemi said: "in view of this importance, Kimberly's main office decided to open another office at the "Diamond Tower" located in Jumeirah Lake Towers."
Dubai plays a significant role in the diamond industry worldwide, which has grown over the past short period following the establishment of DMCC and Dubai Diamond Exchange.
- Ends -
Dubai - Dubai Customs organized a workshop on rough diamond and methods of identifying and examining it in collaboration with UAE Kimberly Organization Office, an Organization introduced by the United Nations to certify the origin of rough diamond from sources which are free of conflict.
The workshop was held at the Cargo Village Customs Center on 25th February 2009 with the attendance of 30 persons representing some relevant departments officials and inspection officers' operating at Dubai International Airport, Dubai Cargo Village, Dubai Flowers Center and Dubai Airport Multi-Commodities Center.
Maryam Al Hashemi, UAE Kimberly Organization Director delivered a presentation addressing types, forms, phases and origin of rough diamonds as well as methods of differentiating it from artificial diamonds and other precious stones and minerals.
She went on emphasizing the necessity of having a unique government certification based on Kimberly, a commercial invoice detailing the information needed and the value as a perquisite for exporting or importing any diamond consignment.
Mr. Mohammed Faraj Abdullah, Senior Manager of Customer Service at Airport Zone said: "the workshop comes within the framework of the existing work relations between Dubai Customs and Kimberly. We are keen to exchange expertise with Kimberly and identify the latest methods as to ensure the authenticity of exported and imported diamond consignments in line with the organizational strategy to enhance economic and social development and supporting legitimate trade."
"Dubai Customs is therefore seeking to procure state-of-the-art scanning and inspection equipments and develop employees and inspectors` skills by sending them to professional training courses and attending relevant workshops," he maintained.
Ms Al Hashemi pointed out in her presentation the importance of Kimberly as an international Organization to oversee and control legitimate rough diamond trade in the world.
"The UAE was the first Arab State acceding to Kimberly in 2002. The following year experienced opening of a Kimberly office at Dubai Cargo Village, which then shifted to Dubai International Airport Free Zone. It coordinates with different government departments over imported rough diamond in particular to ensure its authenticity and importation from one of the 74 Kimberly member states," she said.
Highlighting ways of identifying veracity of diamond consignment certifications, Ms. Al Hashemi added: "the Kimberly members are the only states authorized to export and import rough diamond where more than 99% of rough diamond trade takes place through the Kimberly scheme."
Underlining UAE position as a key backer to diamond legitimate trade movement, Ms. Al Hashemi said: "in view of this importance, Kimberly's main office decided to open another office at the "Diamond Tower" located in Jumeirah Lake Towers."
Dubai plays a significant role in the diamond industry worldwide, which has grown over the past short period following the establishment of DMCC and Dubai Diamond Exchange.
- Ends -
© Press Release 2009
