Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE), a subsidiary of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), has  expanded its Board of Directors with two new appointments.

Levy Rapoo, CEO of South African Diamond & Precious Metals Regulator (SADPMR), and Prof Francis Pedzana Gudyanga, the new permanent secretary of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe, will join the board, said a statement.

Peter Meeus, chairman of the Board of Directors of DDE, said: “The presence of high profile industry executives on the DDE’s Board of Directors reflects our truly global status in the diamond trade.”

Today Africa accounts for 61 per cent of the world’s diamond production by value and 56 per cent by volume (carats).

Ahmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman, DMCC, said:  "The Dubai Diamond Exchange has gained global recognition and is currently ranked among the world's top three market places for rough diamonds. We are well positioned to cater for those producing countries in Africa to trade through to the consuming countries in Asia along what we call the New Silk Route.”

Established in 2004, DDE is a member of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and a keen supporter of the WFDB in all its initiatives.  – TradeArabia News Service