Qatar Diamond Exchange widens its scope with CIBJO membership

Doha, October 1, 2026: The Qatar Diamond Exchange (QDE) has been admitted to membership of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, the international jewellery 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 diamond, coloured gemstone and jewellery sector.

From left: Ghanim al-Saadi, Director, QDE; Dr Gaetano Cavalieri; and Al Hanoof Al Malki, Business Development Associate, QDE. Cavalieri accepted a QDE gift on behalf of CIBJO for its centenary.

QDE’s membership was approved in CIBJO's centenary year. Founded in 1926, the Milan-based confederation brings together national jewellery associations, trade organisations and companies from across the industry, from mining through to retail. CIBJO's work centres on the Blue Books, the industry's definitive directories of international standards covering diamonds, coloured stones, pearls, gemmological laboratories, precious metals, and responsible sourcing.

Ghanim al-Saadi (right), speaking with WFDB President Mehul Shah

As a National Association Member, QDE will take part in the confederation's sectoral commissions, with an emphasis on supporting and protecting the natural diamond industry and trade, helping improve its marketing and promotional efforts, and telling the riveting story of diamonds to the consumer.

QDE Director Ghanim Nasser al-Saadi said: "Joining CIBJO connects Qatar to a century of work in developing the standards that support the global diamond, gemstone and jewellery industry. We look forward to contributing actively to CIBJO's commissions and to the work ahead.

From left: Alex Popov, Senior Advisor, QDE; Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC; Al Hanoof Al Malki; Ghanim al-Saadi; Dr. Fahad Zainal, Advisor, Qatar Free Zone; and Krishna Raj, The Jewellery Pod.

The membership adds to the international affiliations QDE has secured since launching, following its admission to the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the World Diamond Council (WDC). Together, these place Qatar among the principal institutions governing global trade in natural diamonds and align QDE's operations with the WDC System of Warranties, the WFDB Code of Conduct, and CIBJO's Blue Book standards.

“At QDE, we will not only do everything to protect the integrity of the diamond supply pipeline, but also to ensure that our partners in the diamond mining countries will achieve the maximum added value in the sale and marketing of their diamonds,” al-Saadi added.

Ghanim al-Saadi at the VicenzaOro show

CIBJO President Dr Gaetano Cavalieri 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, coloured gemstone, and pearl sector and the country's economic diversification ambitions under the Qatar National Vision 2030.