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[mastercutter]

The UAE Minister of Economy and Commerce, His Excellency Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, recently met with a visiting delegation led by the Dubai Metals and Commodities Centre (DMCC) to discuss progress on implementation of the Kimberley Process.

The delegation consisted of the Chairman of the Kimberley Process, Mr. Abbey Chikane , the Chairman of Diamant International/JFPI Corporation, Mr. André Action Jackson and the Chairman and CEO of the World Diamond Council, Mr. Eli Izhakoff, along with DMCC CEO Mr Tawfique Abdullah, and COO Mr. Ahmed Bin Sulayem.

The minister reiterated the UAE's commitment to the Kimberley Process, a UN-backed international certification scheme for rough diamonds, which aims to protect the legitimate rough diamond trade. The UAE is the first Arab country to introduce the Process.

"I am very impressed that the UAE, which joined the Process last November, has managed to make much progress so far," said Chikane. "We look forward to all the appropriate legislation being passed shortly and I am confident that the UAE will soon have legislations in place to back up their commitment"

Izhakoff also expressed his approval. "I am heartened to see that all the requirements for the Kimberley Process are being executed properly."

"As an organisation, DMCC is committed to providing the diamond industry with access to world class facilities and support. Introducing the Kimberley Process was one of our initiatives to provide an internationally recognised certification scheme to the local industry," said Abdullah.

The UAE became a member of the Kimberley Process last November, at which time Dubai Metals and Commodities Centre (DMCC) held an event to brief leading government executives and diamond industry members.

Chaired by South Africa, the Kimberley Process involves more than 70 countries, 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 prevent 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.