I think we changed the perception of Dubai in the diamond industry from being just a place to hold meetings and conferences, to a real center of policy influence.

mall trip in the company of men with revolvers on their hips.

The security situation in the country has deteriorated significantly since then, with daily fatal clashes between the opposition and security forces loyal to President Nicolas Maduro.

But bin Sulayem is still in touch with Venezuelan business leaders. He hinted that other Dubai entities are planning to expand activities there, but declined to name them publicly.

The KP year was a significant landmark for him and for Dubai. The emirate, through the DMCC’s diamond-trading market, had become a leading world center of the multibillion-dollar trade, becoming the third-biggest diamond center in the world.

But in a controversial industry tainted by the “blood diamond” legacy, bin Sulayem did not always have the easiest time explaining the attractions of Dubai to the world.

In particular, the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that make up a large and vocal part of the industry were quick to throw mud at Dubai. to a real center of policy influence.

“I was seen as a disruptive KP chair, and I’m glad about that. I think we raised the bar for KP leadership from here on. Some of the hostility we faced from civil society (the NGOs) was very personal, driven by a prejudice against the UAE and in their own interests, rather than the interest of the producing countries.”

The KP job is over, annual chairmanship having passed to Australia, but the diamond industry remains a central part of the DMCC product offering.

Later this year, the Dubai Diamond Conference takes place at the same time as the World Diamond Council annual meeting. Some star speakers are lined up for the events.

Before then, bin Sulayem will unveil the final design for Burj 2020, the new master development adjacent to the DMCC’s current location in Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT).

It is a mixed-use project, like JLT, but with two super-large high-rise structures, both of which will be bigger than Almas.

“It really is something. The main tower will