The Qatar Diamond Exchange (QDE) has been admitted as a member of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), expanding the federation's global network of diamond exchanges operating under common trading rules and a shared code of conduct.
The announcement was made during the 41st World Diamond Congress, jointly convened by the WFDB and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) in Singapore from July 12 to 15, 2026. The event was hosted by the Diamond Exchange of Singapore.
With QDE's admission, the WFDB now comprises 27 diamond bourses across five continents. Qatar has participated in the global diamond trade ecosystem since becoming a full participant in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KP) in 2021. The new membership strengthens trade links between Qatar and established diamond trading centres.
WFDB President Mehul Shah said, "The WFDB is delighted to welcome the Qatar Diamond Exchange as a member. Qatar has real potential in diamonds with a friendly, business-first policy environment, strong buying power, and an excellent geographical location. We wish the QDE every success and look forward to the 2027 Presidents' Meeting in Qatar."
Membership provides companies trading through QDE with reciprocal recognition across WFDB member bourses, access to the federation's arbitration framework and adherence to the WFDB Code of Conduct. The federation has also nominated Qatar to host its 2027 Annual Presidents' Meeting, marking the first time the event will be held in the country.
Commenting on the development, Ghanim Nasser Al-Saadi, Director of the Qatar Diamond Exchange, said, "There is no higher compliment in this trade than the world's bourses opening their doors to you. Membership of the WFDB means the QDE now trades to the same world standard as the industry's leading centres. That is the real value of this recognition. They have looked at our exchange, our standards, and our people, and welcomed us as one of their own. Being nominated to host the 2027 Presidents' Meeting is a responsibility we welcome; next year the leadership of the global diamond industry will see Qatar's exchange first-hand."
The announcement follows QDE's recent admission to the World Diamond Council (WDC), enabling the exchange to operate in accordance with both the WDC System of Warranties and the WFDB Code of Conduct. Officially announced earlier this week, the exchange operates from the Ras Bufontas Free Zone adjacent to Hamad International Airport, offering a regulated trading platform with a secure trading floor, private negotiation suites, an institutional-grade vault with 24/7 on-site security, and on-site customs and Kimberley Process certification.
