HONG KONG, Aug. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- JNA
(Jewellery News Asia), organiser of the JNA Awards, is
pleased to announce that Ahmed Bin
Sulayem, Executive Chairman of DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities
Centre), is the recipient of the 2014 Outstanding Contribution
Award.
Bin Sulayem, the second individual to be receiving this annual
accolade, will be honoured at the JNA Awards Ceremony and Gala
Dinner on 16 September at the InterContinental Hong Kong. The
much-anticipated awards event, the culmination of a year-long
process, will be held alongside the world's No. 1 fine jewellery
event, the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair.
Bin Sulayem's accomplishments have had an extraordinarily
positive and enduring impact, not only on DMCC and Dubai, but on the global gemstone and
jewellery industry, according to Letitia
Chow, Chair of the JNA Awards judging panel.
Chow added, "Under Ahmed Bin Sulayem's leadership, DMCC has
enhanced the flow of diamonds, precious metals, pearls and other
commodities through Dubai – one of
the world's leading trade hubs. His vision and boldness in
executing his role at DMCC has led to the expansion of the global
commodities sector.
His leadership has not only established Dubai as a major commodities trading hub, but
also promoted synergistic collaboration with trading partners in
Asia."
Under Bin Sulayem's guidance, Dubai has become one of the leading diamond
trading centres in the world – ideally positioned, geographically
and operationally, to serve a pivotal role in the "New Silk
Road."
Commenting on the award, Bin Sulayem said: "It is an honour to
accept this prestigious award on behalf of DMCC and Dubai as testament to the strength and
leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed
Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the
UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It is his
vision that has enabled DMCC to establish Dubai as the global hub for commodities trade
and enterprise, and in doing so making the most of the Emirate's
geographical location between the jewellery and gemstone-producing
and consuming countries."
Bin Sulayem continued, "Today's gold trade through Dubai has grown from US$6 billion in 2003 to US$75 billion in 2013. The diamond industry has
equally grown to some US$39 billion,
and Dubai today is ranked among
the world's top three marketplaces for rough and polished diamonds.
We are proud to have achieved this in just 10 short years.
"We look forward to continuing on this strong growth trajectory
and to further collaborate with our trading partners in mainland
China, Hong Kong, as well as other Asian key market
players to maximise on the many opportunities that lie ahead."
Bin Sulayem joined DMCC in 2001 and has since introduced
revolutionary infrastructure such as Almas Tower, the tallest
commercial tower in the Middle
East purpose-built for the diamond trade; and a number of
successful products and services, including the establishment of
the DMCC Free Zone, the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX)
the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE), and other services such as gold
refineries, gold and diamond vaults, and the UAE Gold Bullion Coins
which were designed to celebrate the accomplishments and vision of
the UAE's leaders. Bin Sulayem has also played a leading role in
reviving Dubai's traditional
pearling industry by launching the Dubai Pearl Exchange in 2007. In
just over a decade, DMCC has enabled the flow of trade through
Dubai to grow immensely while
positioning its free zone as the global gateway for commodities
trade and enterprise.
Now in its third year, the JNA Awards is an industry-wide event
that honours and recognises excellence and achievement in the
global jewellery trade with an Asian focus. In 2013, it conferred
the Outstanding Contribution of the Year Award to celebrated
jewellery master and sculptor Wallace
Chan, who has made a significant impact on the global haute
joaillerie scene following his spectacular debut at the Biennale
des Antiquaires in Paris in
2012.
For the Awards' 2014 edition, a total of 29 companies and six
individuals from 11 countries and regions have been shortlisted
across 16 categories.
The event has received an overwhelming response in attendance to
the night of the awards ceremony and gala dinner. For more
information on the event and past award recipients, please visit
www.JNAawards.com.
Notes for Editors:
1. About JNA
(www.jewellerynewsasia.com)
JNA is the flagship magazine of UBM Asia's Jewellery Group.
First published in 1983, the title is the leader in providing
up-to-date international jewellery trade news with an Asian
insight. It features original, in-depth reports by experienced
journalists covering the latest developments in the diamond, pearl,
gemstone, jewellery manufacturing, and equipment and supplies
sectors.
2. About the Headline Partners
2.1 Rio Tinto Diamonds
(www.riotintodiamonds.com)
Rio Tinto operates a fully integrated diamonds business from
exploration through to sales and marketing. It is one of the
world's major diamond producers through its 100 percent control of
the Argyle mine in Australia, 60
percent interest in Diavik mine in Canada, 78 percent interest in the Murowa mine
in Zimbabwe and 100 percent
interest in the Bunder project in India.
Rio Tinto's share of the production from its three operating
diamond mines is sold through its sales and marketing office in
Antwerp, with representative
offices in Mumbai, Hong Kong and New
York. It also operates a niche cutting and polishing factory
in Perth for the rare pink
diamonds from its Argyle mine. Rio Tinto is a leading supporter of
the Kimberley Process, as well as a founding member of the
Responsible Jewellery Council.
2.2 Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited
(www.chowtaifook.com)
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd, a leading jeweller in
Mainland China, Hong Kong and
Macau, was listed on the Main
Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong
Kong in December 2011 and has
become the world's largest pure-play jeweller by market
capitalisation. Chow Tai Fook is now
a constituent stock of the Hang Seng China 50 Index and the Hang
Seng Mainland 100 Index. Its principal products are mass luxury
jewellery and high-end luxury jewellery products including gem-set
jewellery, gold products, platinum and karat gold product, and
watches.
The Group's iconic brand "Chow Tai Fook" and 85 years of
operations represent key competitive advantages of its business.
The Chow Tai Fook brand is recognised for its trustworthiness and
authenticity, and renowned for its product design, quality and
value.
The Group has an extensive retail network, with over 2,100
points of sale in more than 470 cities in Greater China, Singapore and Malaysia. It also has a growing presence in
e-commerce. The Group's vertically integrated business model
provides an effective and tight control over the entire operation
chain from raw material procurement, design, production, to
marketing and sales through its extensive retail network.
3. About the Honoured Partners
3.1 Diarough Group (www.diarough.com)
Diarough Group was established in Antwerp in 1975 and owns diamond polishing
factories in China, India, Thailand and Botswana, with a network of sales offices
around the world. Diarough is known among the most professional and
respected names in the international diamond industry.
Diarough believes in building and nurturing long-term business
relationships based on mutual trust, finding solutions to business
and marketing problems, creating marketable opportunities through
innovative products and providing excellent client services.
Its jewellery manufacturing unit Uni-Design has produced many
award-winning jewellery pieces, which have been proudly worn by
celebrities on the red carpet over the years.
The Group employs over 3,500 people and is engaged in a wide
range of diamond business activities like rough trading, cutting,
polishing, jewellery manufacturing and marketing to retailers,
chain stores, global brands and private labels worldwide. Diarough
employs advanced technology and modern work speed with traditional
ethical business practices upon which the Company was founded.
3.2 Gubelin Group (www.gubelin.com)
Since 1854, the name Gubelin has stood for the very highest
standards in gemstones, jewellery and watches. With its selection
of the most sought-after timepieces and jewellery of its own
design, the family-run business is represented at all the prime
locations in Switzerland: Lucerne,
Zurich, Basel, Bern,
St. Moritz, Lugano and
Geneva. Last November, Gubelin
Jewellery established its presence in Hong Kong.
Besides the jewellery boutiques and the Gubelin Ateliers, the
group has a newly-established Academy and a world-renowned
Gemmological Laboratory. The Gubelin Gem Lab is one of the oldest
and most respected institutions of its kind, relied on by dealers,
auction houses, royal families and collectors since the 1920s.
3.3 KARP Group
(http://www.karpjewellery.com/)
With over four decades of experience and expertise in the
diamond trade, KARP caters to international luxury brands. Apart
from being a DTC Sightholder, the group is recognised as an
"institution" in the industry, using the most technologically
advanced manufacturing systems in the business. KARP manufactures a
huge array of products, from 0.005-carat goods to stones weighing
10 carats and above.
It excels in the production of certified fine makes, fancy-cut
goods and fancy coloured diamonds. The manufacturer is one of the
few companies that has achieved up to 5-micron precision in diamond
manufacturing.
3.4 Paspaley Pearling Company
(www.paspaley.com)
Paspaley Pearling Company is the leading producer of Australian
South Sea pearls, supplying strands, loose pearls and
mother-of-pearl shells to many of the world's leading jewellery
wholesalers, manufacturers and retailers.
The Paspaley family became involved in pearling in the 1920s and
is the world's only South Sea pearl producer with origins in the
natural pearl industry. Paspaley Pearling Company Pty Ltd was
incorporated in 1953 and built its success and reputation as a
pioneer in the cultivation of South Sea pearls. Today, the Company
sets the benchmark for modern pearling practices, operating
numerous pearl farms dotted along more than 2,500 kilometres of the
remote and pristine coastline of north-west Australia.
Paspaley's harvest represents the majority of Australian South
Sea pearl production and has a well-deserved reputation for
exceptional quality.
3.5 Shanghai Diamond Exchange
(www.cnsde.com)
Authorised by the State Council, the Shanghai Diamond Exchange
(SDE) is the only diamond exchange in China and provides diamond dealers a fair and
safe transaction venue under close supervision. It also enjoys a
favourable taxation policy and is operated in accordance with
international best practices of the diamond industry.
Established in 2000, the SDE is a non-profit, self-regulating
membership organisation and a member of the World Federation of
Diamond Bourses.
3.6 The Israel Diamond Institute
(www.israelidiamond.co.il)
The Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI) is a
non-profit, public interest company representing all institutions
involved in the Israeli Diamond Industry. Israel is one of the world's leading diamond
centres, and the Israeli diamond industry has an illustrious
history dating back to the late 1930s.
IDI works for the benefit of Israel's diamond industry in the areas of
marketing and business promotion, international communications,
R&D, rough sourcing, professional training, publishing and
security consultancy. IDI is responsible for industry participation
in major trade fairs around the world, organising Israeli Diamond
Pavilions, receptions, press conferences and other events at these
fairs.
IDI operates a representative office in Hong Kong, which fosters trade relations with
Asian markets.
3.7 The Guangdong Land Holdings Limited
(www.gdland.com.hk/en)
The Guangdong Land Holdings Limited (GDLAND), with its
headquarter in Hong Kong, is
listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, and is a
subsidiary of GDH Limited, which is Guangdong Province's largest conglomerate
operating outside Mainland China.
The principal business of GDLAND is property development and
investment, including but not limited to the development and
operational management of the innovative commercial real estate,
urban complex and industrial business complex. As the strategic arm
of GDH Limited, GDLAND engages in the business development of
commercial real estate, as well as the projects of urban and
industrial complex.
GDLAND's flagship project, namely the "Buxin Project", is
planned to become the biggest and most advanced jewellery mart in
the world, including a large-scale jewellery trading and exhibition
centre along with other facilities, with a lot size of over 87,000
square metres. The Buxin Project, which is located in the Buxin
area of Luohu district in Central
Shenzhen, close to the Shuibei Gold and Jewellery Base, is
expected to develop the area into one of the most influential gold
and jewellery trading and exchange platforms in China and around the world.
4. About UBM Asia
Owned by UBM plc listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia
is Asia's leading exhibition
organiser and the biggest commercial organiser in mainland
China, India and Malaysia. Established with its headquarters in
Hong Kong and subsidiary companies
across Asia and in the US, UBM
Asia has a strong global presence in 24 major cities with 30
offices and over 1,300 staff.
With a track record spanning over 30 years, UBM Asia operates in
20 market sectors with 160 dynamic face-to-face exhibitions, 75
high-level professional conferences, 28 targeted trade
publications, 18 round-the-clock vertical portals and virtual event
services for over 1,000,000 quality exhibitors, visitors,
conference delegates, advertisers and subscribers from all over the
world. We provide a one-stop diversified global service for
high-value business matching, quality market news and online
trading networks.
UBM Asia has extensive office networks in China, Southeast
Asia and India, three of
the world's fastest growing B2B events markets. UBM China has 11
offices in the major cities in mainland China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Shenzhen, where we organise more than 70
exhibitions and conferences. In ASEAN, UBM Asia operates from its
offices in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and the
Philippines with over 60 events in this region. UBM India
teams in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai organise 20 exhibitions and 60
conferences every year across the country.
For more information, contact:
JNA Awards Marketing
UBM Asia (Hong Kong)
+852-2516-2184
marketing@jnaawards.com
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SOURCE JNA