Added courses at DMCC benefit gems and jewellery community

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - May 23, 2012 - GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has added courses to the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) schedule following the tremendously positive response from students who attended GIA's Diamond Grading Lab class there in February. The Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP) diploma recently concluded, whereas the Colored Stone Grading Lab class and Gem Identification Lab class are scheduled to begin later this year. GIA will continue to offer complimentary diamond and gemstone seminars to DMCC members and aspiring professionals.

DMCC is the leading commodities centre in the Middle East and is located at the Almas Tower, home to the Dubai Diamond Exchange.

"Since its inception in 2002, DMCC and the Almas Tower have become a global centre for the diamond trade," said Gautam Sashittal, COO of DMCC. "Naturally we would like to build on our achievements and become a centre for diamond and gemstone education, helping seasoned professionals and young entrepreneurs lead the market with knowledge and innovation. We welcome GIA's initiative, which will continue to grow the trade."

GIA's AJP diploma course successfully concluded on May 17, training sales professionals on critical product knowledge and sales techniques. Sales associates acquired the relevant knowledge they needed to handle jewellery customers effectively and efficiently.

"Our courses at DMCC create a foundation of gemstone knowledge for trade members in Dubai," said Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director of GIA in India and the Middle East. "Together, GIA and DMCC will offer industry aspirants an opportunity for holistic, practical and relevant education in the gem and jewellery industry."

The Colored Stone Grading Lab and Gem Identification Lab classes will be offered throughout the year. The coloured stone class helps develop skills in grading colour, clarity and cut through classroom instruction and hands-on training. The gem identification lab trains students in the procedures and identification skills used by GIA's gemmological experts worldwide.

In addition to Dubai, GIA offers courses in major trade centres throughout the region including Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The DMCC facilitates the flow of commodity trade through Dubai, and acts as an interface between the traders and manufacturers of diamonds, as well as the buyers and retailers of the finished goods. Together, the DMCC and GIA support the growth of the gem and jewellery industry in the Middle East.

To enrol in a GIA course, or for more details on educational offerings in the Middle East, email giaeducationmiddleeast@gia.edu call Shamona Coutinho at + 971 4 214 6843. GIA in the Middle East is located at Building No. 6WA, Office 801, Dubai Airport Free Zone, Dubai, U.A.E.  Visit www.giamideast.com  for more information.

About GIA
An independent organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is recognized as the world's foremost authority in gemmology. Established in 1931, GIA has translated its expert knowledge into the most respected gemmological education available. Early in the 1950s, GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Colour, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight.  In 1953, the Institute created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweller in the world.

Through research, education, gemmological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewellery by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. GIA can be found on the web at www.gia.edu.

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.

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

Brunswick Group
Jade Mamarbachi
+971 50 600 3829
jmamarbachi@brunswickgroup.com

Gemological Institute of America
Sunayna Ullal
Manager, Corporate Communications
+ 91 22 4085 1511
sullal@gia.edu

WORLD HEADQUARTERS CONTACT
Stephen Morisseau
Director, Public Relations
+1 760 603 4411
stephen.morisseau@gia.edu

© Press Release 2012