Dubai, July 5 2004: The International Gemological Institute (IGI), one of the leading international gem certification and appraisal institutes, has completed its extensive training session with the Dubai Metals and Commodities Centre's (DMCC) Kimberley Process (KP) team, a process that been created by leaders in the diamond industry to combat conflict diamonds.
The UAE has led the way in the region by becoming the first Arab country to formally adopt the Kimberley Process and is also the first among forty-seven member countries to volunteer for a 'peer review' visit on internal control mechanisms.
The seven-day training course, led by Mr. Marc Segers, Manager of the Educational Department from IGI, focused on evaluating and pricing rough diamonds. The course discussed various topics ranging from morphology of rough diamonds, gemology, diamond sorting, to synthetic diamonds and diamond treatment.
The Kimberley Process is an international certification scheme for rough diamonds, which was devised to address humanitarian concerns surrounding the diamond trade. The United Nations-endorsed Kimberley Process had its origins in the decision of many diamond centres to take action to stop 'conflict' diamonds and protect the legitimacy of the diamond trade.
DMCC has been a staunch supporter and promoter of the Kimberley Process; that is why the organisation selected the best training available from the International Gemological Institute. DMCC Chief Executive Officer Mr. Tawfique Abdullah explained: "We are committed to ensuring that our team have all the information and training they need to understand every aspect of the diamond trade and help in its effective implementation in the UAE."
Noora Jamsheer, DMCC's Manager of the Kimberley Process, said: "The IGI training course is part of DMCC's strategy to develop and build on the qualifications and skills of the KP team to international standards. It is the first time that the KP team is being trained at an international level since the implementation of the process in 2003."
The Dubai Metals and Commodities Centre (DMCC) was created in 2002 as part of a strategic goal by the Dubai Government to establish a commodity market. It provides the market infrastructure that brings together a wide range of commodities activities, and is committed to serve the needs of participants in the gold, diamonds and commodities markets. 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.
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About The Kimberley Process
The Kimberley Process, chaired by South Africa, had its origins in the decision of Southern African countries to take action to stop the flow of "conflict" diamonds to the markets, while at the same time protecting the legitimate diamond industry. The Kimberley Process involves more than 30 governments, the European Community, the diamond industry and civil society and has been establishing minimum acceptable international standards for national certification schemes relating to trade in rough diamonds. It is hoped that the certification scheme will stem the flow of rough diamonds from rebel-held conflict areas, in support of the existing UN Security Council sanctions, thereby contributing substantially to peace efforts.
Established in Antwerp, New York, Mumbai, Bangkok, Tokyo, Toronto, Los Angeles, Dubai, Cavalese and Seoul, the International Gemological Institute is the world's largest independent gem certification and appraisal institute and is renowned for its quality services, extensive experience and know-how. IGI, the oldest institute of its kind in Antwerp, was founded in 1975 and along with its sister laboratory in New York, is one of the leading gemological institutions worldwide. Presently, a staff of just three has grown to over 350 professionals dedicated to a standard of excellence second to none. Today, IGI issues more than 550,000 reports a year.
For further information on DMCC, please contact
Kevin Hasler/ Ashraf Al Shakaa,
Bates PanGulf PR,
Tel: +971-4-295 3456
Fax: +971-4-295 1027
Email: publicrelations@batespangulf.com
© Press Release 2004
