KP Chair and Former South African President to attend WFDB's 2011 Presidents' Meeting

The forthcoming World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) 2011 Presidents' Meeting between April 11-13, will host former president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, and Kimberley Process Chair Mathieu Yamba of the Democratic Republic of Congo as guests of honor and will address the Gala Dinner. The Meeting is to be held at the Jumeirah Meydan Hotel in Dubai.

In the opening session of the Presidents' Meeting on April 12, an address will be made on the role of Dubai in the global diamond industry, and a presentation by renowned industry analyst Chaim Even Zohar entitled "Africa changing the world diamond scene." The event is being hosted by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE). The working sessions will be held at the Almas Tower, home to the DDE, followed by a cocktail reception on the DDE's trading floor. Committee meetings will be held on April 11.

In their invitation to the presidents of the WFDB-affiliated bourses,the DMCC's Executive Chairman, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, and DDE Chairman Peter Meeus expressed praise over Dubai’s growth in less than 10 years, as one of the world's leading international diamond centers. "Dubai's strategic location continues to provide a crucial gateway between the producing countries, the major production centers and the emerging consuming markets of the region”. WFDB President Avi Paz thanked the DMCC for hosting the event in Dubai, saying, “Dubai is a fast-growing diamond trading centre and distribution hub, so holding a WFDB event at the home of the Dubai Diamond Exchange has been long coming," he said. The DDE is located in the Almas Tower along with 300 regional and international diamond and precious gems companies. Some of the Presidents' Meeting sessions will take place at the Almas Tower.