Friday, February 29, 2008

Dubai unveils 'Pearls of Arabia' Project

Source: http://www.jckonline.com

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre on Monday unveiled plans for “Pearls of Arabia,” a project that will feature offshore entertainment, retail, and educational components. This project is the first stage of Dubai’s plan of reestablishing the emirate as a center for the global pearl trade.

In association with Paspaley Pearling Co. PTY Ltd, DMCC will establish a 6,000-square-meter "Experience Centre" at The World, a housing and business development of man-made islands in the shape of a world map off the coast of Dubai. The new pearl center will be built in Antarctica.

The project will include a pearl-themed cultural heritage centre, a performing arts theatre, an exhibition gallery, and a themed restaurant alongside boutiques inviting participation from the leading international names in the pearl industry. Visitors will travel to this destination by water ferries—transporting them across the manmade archipelago of 300 islands and into the region’s storied past. The facility is expected to be complete by the end of 2010.

"Less than a century ago, pearling was the very lifeblood of Arabia, accounting for some 80,000 jobs in the UAE alone and representing 95 percent of the country’s total revenues," said Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman, DMCC. "Pearls of Arabia presents age-old wisdom in a modern and contemporary fashion to revive the region’s historic legacy for the benefit of future generations."

DMCC’s objective is to develop the global and regional pearl market with specific focus on trading, grading, trade events, and auctions alongside trade and consumer education. The Pearls of Arabia project represents a component of Dubai’s strategy. The Dubai Pearl Exchange creates important opportunities for the international pearl trade by providing an exclusive trading platform and a facilitated free-trade environment for regional and international pearl traders.

DMCC also will investigate the introduction of a uniform certification for pearls, based on globally recognized quality parameters. This certification would be developed in conjunction with leading gem certification bodies to generate increased confidence in the pearl trade. Certificates issued from the emirate would have the official imprimatur of the Dubai Government.


Left to right: Nicholas Paspaley, executive chairman, Paspaley Pearling Co. PTY Ltd; Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman, DMCC; and Gaiti Rabbani, executive director, Coloured Stones and Pearls, DMCC. During the unveiling of Pearls of Arabia at The World.


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Source: http://www.themedialine.org

Dubai’s Pearl Industry to Shine Again Written by Adam Gonn
Published Thursday, February 28, 2008


Nowadays Dubai is known as the miracle economy of the Gulf, managing to turn its oil wealth into a diverse economy.

Less than a century ago, however, the Gulf was home to some of the best pearls in the world, due to the formation of the seabed, the temperature and shallowness of the water.

Some 80,000 men were involved in pearling in the UAE alone and the sale of pearls represented 95 percent of the country's revenues. It is this heritage that Dubai’s Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) plans to present in the new Dubai Pearl Museum, which will house special types of pearls from various regions.

The new museum will be the second one in the Emirate. The current pearl museum is located in the National Bank of Dubai (NBD) headquarters in Deira. The first museum was established when NBD's founder-chairman, Sultan Al Owais, one of Dubai's most important pearl merchants, poets and philanthropists, donated his pearl collection.

The plans for the museum are being presented in conjunction with the establishment of a Dubai Pearl Exchange in mid-April, which aims to re-establish Dubai as a global center for pearl trading.

The two centers will be located on "Antarctica" at The World, a man-made island cluster on the Dubai coastline, as part of the approximately 7000-square meter Pearl of Arabia cultural heritage center, which will also include a performing arts theater, an exhibition gallery and restaurants, alongside boutiques to be run by top pearl fashion houses.

Source: http://www.diamondintelligence.com

DMCC UNVEILS 'PEARLS OF ARABIA' PROJECT TO REVITALIZE DUBAI'S GLOBAL PEARL TRADE

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is unveiling “Pearls of Arabia,” a project intended to reestablish the emirate as a center for the global pearl trade. The project, which will feature an offshore entertainment, retail and education center, is expected to be completed in 2010. The DMCC’s objective with the project is to develop the global and regional pearl market with specific focus on trading, grading, trade events and auctions alongside trade and consumer education

In association with Paspaley Pearling Co. PTY Ltd., a south sea pearl company and producer, the DMCC will establish a 6,000-square-meter Experience Centre on Antarctica at The Worlds Islands. As part of the Experience Centre, there will be a pearl-themed cultural heritage center, a performing arts theater, an exhibition gallery and a themed restaurant alongside boutiques inviting participation from the leading international names in the pearl industry. The destination will be accessible to visitors by water ferries.

“Less than a century ago, pearling was the very lifeblood of Arabia, accounting for some 80,000 jobs in the UAE alone and representing 95 percent of the country’s total revenues,” says Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC. “‘Pearls of Arabia’ presents an age-old wisdom in a modern and contemporary fashion to revive the region’s historic legacy for the benefit of future generations.”

Nicholas Paspaley, Executive Chairman of Paspaely Pearling Co. PTY Ltd., says, “Historically, Dubai served as the world’s hub in the trade of fine-quality natural pearls. Now, almost 100 years later, we are delighted to collaborate with DMCC to revitalize the region’s traditional association with pearls…. Dubai will present to the world the best selection of pearls and pearl jewellery that the 21st century pearling industry has to offer, and will showcase the beautiful history and story of pearls.”

As part of its Pearl Strategy, the DMCC plans to investigate the introduction of a uniform certification for pearls, in conjunction with leading international gem certification bodies.