DMCC’s Ahmed Bin Sulayem to Receive JNA Award For Outstanding Contribution

Ahmed Bin Sulayem

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, will receive the 2014 Outstanding Contribution Award during the JNA Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner on September 16 at the InterContinental Hong Kong. The JNA Awards event, the culmination of a year-long process, will be held during the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair. The awards are organized by Jewellery News Asia, the leading trade magazine for the Asian jewelry industry. 

Bin Sulayem is the second individual to receive the Outstanding Contribution Award.

Bin Sulayem’s accomplishments have had a positive and enduring impact, not only on DMCC and Dubai, but on the global gemstone and jewelry industry, according to Letitia Chow, chair of the JNA Awards judging panel. 

“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,” Chow said. “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 centers in the world.

“It is an honor 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,” he said. “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 jewelry and gemstone-producing and consuming countries.”

Under Bin Sulayem’s leadership, gold trade through Dubai has grown from $6 billion in 2003 to $75 billion in 2013. The diamond industry has grown to about $39 billion, and Dubai is now ranked among the world’s top three marketplaces for rough and polished diamonds. 

Since joining DMCC in 2001, Bin Sulayem oversaw the construction of the Almas Tower, the tallest commercial tower in the Middle East built for the diamond trade; and several products and services, including the establishment of the DMCC Free Zone, the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange, and the Dubai Diamond Exchange. He also played a leading role in reviving Dubai’s pearl 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 honors and recognizes excellence and achievement in the global jewelry trade with an Asian focus. In 2013, it conferred the Outstanding Contribution of the Year Award to celebrated jewelry master and sculptor Wallace Chan. 

For the Awards’ 2014 edition, a total of 29 companies and six individuals from 11 countries and regions have been shortlisted across 16 categories.

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