Announcements, policy updates, partnerships and industry perspectives from the Qatar Diamond Exchange and the wider diamond ecosystem.
Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) has announced the Qatar Diamond Exchange (QDE), a fully integrated platform for the trade of rough and polished diamonds and precious stones hosted within Ras Bufontas Free Zone. Bringing together trading, m…
The Qatar Diamond Exchange (QDE) has been admitted to membership of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, the international industry’s principal representative and standards-setting body. QDE joins as a National Association Member, exte…
The Qatar Diamond Exchange (QDE) has been admitted to membership of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, the international industry’s principal representative and standards-setting body. QDE joins as a National Association Member, extending the Exchange’s international standing beyond the diamond trade into the wider jewellery, gemstone and precious metals sector. The membership was approved in CIBJO's centenary year. Founded in 1926 and headquartered today in Milan and Bern, the confederation brings together national jewellery associations, trade organisations and companies from across the industry, from mining through to retail. It is also the only jewellery and gemstone body to hold Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). CIBJO's work centres on the Blue Books, the industry's definitive directories of international standards covering diamonds, coloured stones, pearls, gemological laboratories, precious metals, coral and responsible sourcing. As a National Association Member, QDE will take part in the confederation's sectoral commissions, contributing to the standards, terminology and disclosure practices that govern the jewellery and gemstone trade worldwide. Ghanim Nasser Al-Saadi, Director of the Qatar Diamond Exchange, said: “Joining CIBJO in the year it marks its 100th anniversary connects Qatar to a century of work in developing the standards that support the global jewellery and gemstone industry. For our members, this means the goods traded through Doha are supported by internationally recognised definitions and disclosure practices. It also broadens our remit beyond diamonds to include coloured stones, pearls and precious metals, reflecting the wider scope the Exchange was established to serve. We look forward to contributing actively to CIBJO’s commissions and to the work ahead.” The membership adds to the international affiliations QDE has secured since launching, following the Exchange’s admission to the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the World Diamond Council (WDC). Together, these place Qatar within the principal institutions governing the global trade in diamonds, gemstones and jewellery, and align QDE’s operations with the WDC System of Warranties, the WFDB Code of Conduct and CIBJO’s Blue Book standards. Dr Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO, said: "It is a pleasure to welcome the Qatar Diamond Exchange into the CIBJO family, particularly in the year we mark our centenary. Qatar has built its diamond sector on a clear commitment to international standards and responsible trade, and that is precisely the commitment our confederation exists to advance. We look forward to QDE's contribution to our commissions and to the wider work of the industry."Launched in July 2026 and based at Ras Bufontas Free Zone, QDE provides an integrated, regulated platform for diamond trading and related industry services. It connects Doha with international markets while supporting the growth of Qatar’s diamond and precious stones sector and the country’s economic diversification ambitions under Qatar National Vision 2030. For more information or to register your interest in QDE, visit qde.qa.
The Qatar Diamond Exchange (QDE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Borsa Diamanti d'Italia (Diamond Bourse of Italy), establishing a strategic partnership between the two bourses. The agreement was signed during the CIBJO Centenary Congress, held in Vicenza, Italy, from 4 to 7 September 2026, by Ghanim Nasser Al-Saadi, Director of the Qatar Diamond Exchange, and Luigi Cosma, President of Borsa Diamanti d’Italia and Vice President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB). The signing took place as the World Jewellery Confederation gathered industry leaders from around the world to mark its 100th anniversary. Borsa Diamanti d'Italia is celebrating the same milestone this year. Founded in Milan in December 1926, it is the oldest trade association in Italy and remains the country's central institution for the diamond trade. The MoU sets out a framework for the two exchanges to build ties between their respective memberships, encouraging commercial relationships, mutual introductions and broader cooperation. QDE and Borsa Diamanti d'Italia will also invite members and management from both bourses to industry events, tenders, auctions and viewings, supported by a programme of reciprocal visits. Both parties have further committed to promoting consumer confidence in natural diamonds and precious stones through international and local industry initiatives, and to upholding recognised industry standards, including the World Diamond Council’s System of Warranties and those led by the Responsible Jewellery Council. Ghanim Nasser Al-Saadi, Director of the Qatar Diamond Exchange, said: “This agreement marks an important step in strengthening QDE’s international network and deepening our engagement with established diamond markets. Italy has a strong and respected position within the global diamond and jewellery industry, and our partnership with Borsa Diamanti d’Italia creates new opportunities for our members to build commercial relationships, exchange expertise and connect with industry counterparts. We look forward to developing this partnership and creating greater opportunities for businesses across both markets.” Luigi Cosma, President of Borsa Diamanti d’Italia and Vice President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, said: “Our bourse was founded in 1926, and in that century we have learned that the strength of this trade lies in the connections between its centres. Qatar brings a new and well-regulated market into that network, with a clear commitment to the standards our industry depends on. We look forward to introducing our members to Doha, and to welcoming QDE’s members to Milan.” The agreement follows the MoUs signed between QDE and the Diamond Exchange of Singapore, the Shanghai Diamond Exchange and the Tokyo Diamond Exchange, extending the Exchange’s network of bourse partnerships from Asia into Europe. Launched in July 2026 and based at Ras Bufontas Free Zone, QDE provides an integrated, regulated platform for diamond trading and related industry services. It connects Doha with international markets while supporting the growth of Qatar’s diamond and precious stones sector and the country’s economic diversification ambitions under Qatar National Vision 2030. For more information or to register your interest in QDE, visit qde.qa.
The Qatar Diamond Exchange (QDE) has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Diamond Exchange of Singapore, the Shanghai Diamond Exchange and the Tokyo Diamond Exchange during the 41st World Diamond Congress in Singapore. The agreements reflect QDE’s strategic focus on developing closer relationships with established diamond markets across Asia and creating new opportunities for trade and cooperation between Qatar and the region.Each MoU was signed by Ghanim Nasser Al Saadi, Director of the Qatar Diamond Exchange, and the respective president of the partner bourse: Fabio Cascapera, President of the Diamond Exchange of Singapore; Lin Qiang, President of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange; and Michio Iwasaki, President of the Tokyo Diamond Exchange.The agreements establish frameworks for QDE and the partner exchanges to foster business connections between their respective members, encourage commercial relationships and mutual introductions, and pursue broader areas of cooperation. They will also support bilateral visits and reciprocal participation in industry events, tenders, auctions, viewings and other activities organized or hosted by the exchanges.The partnerships aim to enhance consumer confidence in natural diamonds and precious stones and encourage adherence to recognized industry standards and initiatives, including the World Diamond Council’s System of Warranties and those led by the Responsible Jewellery Council.Ghanim Nasser Al-Saadi, Director of the Qatar Diamond Exchange, Said: “These new partnerships mark a concrete step in expanding QDE’s engagement across Asia. By creating direct links between our members and bourses in Singapore, Shanghai and Tokyo, we are opening new channels for trade, investment and industry collaboration. The partnerships also reinforce Doha’s potential to serve as a trusted gateway connecting Asian diamond markets with the wider international trade, supported by transparency, responsible practices and internationally recognized standards.”Ghanim Nasser Al-Saadi, Director of the Qatar Diamond Exchange, Said: “These new partnerships mark a concrete step in expanding QDE’s engagement across Asia. By creating direct links between our members and bourses in Singapore, Shanghai and Tokyo, we are opening new channels for trade, investment and industry collaboration. The partnerships also reinforce Doha’s potential to serve as a trusted gateway connecting Asian diamond markets with the wider international trade, supported by transparency, responsible practices and internationally recognized standards.”Lin Qiang, President of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange, said:“The Shanghai Diamond Exchange has always valued international exchange and cooperation as essential to the healthy development of the diamond industry. This MoU with QDE will help bring our members and markets closer, facilitate practical commercial engagement and create new opportunities for mutual benefit. We look forward to building a long-term relationship that strengthens connections between China, Qatar and the global diamond trade.”Michio Iwasaki, President of the Tokyo Diamond Exchange, said: “The diamond trade depends on trust, transparency and confidence. Through this partnership with QDE, we look forward to strengthening ties between our members, creating new opportunities for collaboration and helping uphold the integrity of the industry. We believe this cooperation can contribute to a stronger and more trusted international market for natural diamonds.” Launched in July 2026 and based at Ras Bufontas Free Zone, QDE provides an integrated, regulated platform for diamond trading and related industry services. It connects Doha with international diamond markets while supporting the growth of Qatar’s diamond and precious stones sector and the country’s economic diversification ambitions under Qatar National Vision 2030. For more information or to register your interest in QDE, visit qde.qa.
The Qatar Diamond Exchange (QDE) has officially been admitted as a member of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), the body that unites the world's leading diamond bourses under common trading rules and a shared code of conduct. Its membership was announced at the 41st World Diamond Congress, convened by the WFDB together with the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) in Singapore from 12 to 15 July 2026 and hosted by the Diamond Exchange of Singapore.Mehul Shah, President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, 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 QDE every success and look forward to the 2027 Presidents' Meeting in Qatar."Qatar has been part of the global diamond ecosystem since 2021, when the State joined the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme as a full participant. WFDB membership now builds a new trade bridge between Qatar and the industry's principal markets. For the Exchange itself, it is recognition from the world's bourses. QDE takes its place in the federation's global network of member exchanges. Companies trading in QDE gain reciprocal recognition across the federation's bourses, access to its arbitration framework, and the assurance that trade in Qatar is conducted under the WFDB Code of Conduct. In a further endorsement, the WFDB nominated Qatar to host its 2027 Annual Presidents' Meeting, bringing the leadership of the world's diamond bourses to Qatar for the first time.Ghanim Nasser Al-Saadi, Director of the Qatar Diamond Exchange, commented: "There is no higher compliment in this trade than the world's bourses opening their doors to you. Membership of the WFDB means 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 builds on QDE’s recent admission to the World Diamond Council (WDC), the organisation that represents the diamond industry within the Kimberley Process. With both memberships in place, QDE operates in line with the WDC System of Warranties and the WFDB Code of Conduct across all its activities.Formally announced earlier this week, the Qatar Diamond Exchange opens a new trade sector for Qatar, connecting the country to the global diamond industry in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. QDE operates as a single regulated platform that offers 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. All located at Ras Bufontas Free Zone, adjacent to Hamad International Airport.For more information and to apply for membership, visit qde.qa.
Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) has announced the Qatar Diamond Exchange (QDE), a fully integrated platform for the trade of rough and polished diamonds and precious stones hosted within Ras Bufontas Free Zone. Bringing together trading, membership, vaulting, certification, and industry services within a single regulated ecosystem, QDE establishes a new gateway for global diamond trade in Qatar, connecting Doha to international diamond markets and advancing economic diversification under Qatar National Vision 2030.Qatar became a full participant in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) in 2021, reaffirming the State's commitment to the responsible and transparent trade of conflict-free rough diamonds. Implemented through Law No. (15) of 2025, Qatar's Kimberley Process framework designates QFZ as the State's competent authority and establishes Qatar's free zones as the sole legitimate entry and exit point for rough diamonds. QDE provides the regulated platform through which members can trade, store, certify, and transact within Qatar's diamond ecosystem.QDE operates as a single regulated platform with a secure trading floor, private negotiation suites, an institutional-grade vault with biometric access control, 24/7 on-site security and surveillance, and on-site customs and certification facilities, providing members with a seamless and secure environment in which to conduct business. H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Faisal Al-Thani, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Free Zones Authority and Chairman of the Qatar Diamond Exchange, commented: "The Qatar Diamond Exchange represents an important step in Qatar's efforts to further diversify its economy and strengthen its position as a trusted participant in global diamond trade. Building on Qatar's participation in the Kimberley Process since 2021, we have established the regulatory and institutional foundations needed to support the growth of a new strategic sector for the State. Through QDE, we are bringing together the full diamond and precious stones value chain within a single regulated ecosystem spanning trading, storage, vaulting, auctions and tenders, and industry support services." Membership of the Exchange is open to companies that trade, manufacture, cut and polish diamonds, alongside affiliate service providers and industry bodies. Members gain access to trading licences, on-site assortment and independent valuation, vault access, and specialist insurance all within a free zone offering 100% foreign ownership and 0% corporate tax for qualifying entities. A curated calendar of rough and polished tenders will connect producers across Africa and Asia with buyers in Europe and the Gulf.For more information and to apply for membership, visit qde.qa.
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