Visitors and residents to the UAE will soon be able to take home an exciting memento of Dubai.

Dubai's first souvenir gold coin 'Visions of Dubai' will be available in the local market from September this year.

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) announced that it has appointed Jumeirah Retail, part of Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hotel and hospitality management company and Dubai Duty Free as authorised distributors for the “Visions of Dubai” series of souvenir gold coins.

Produced in Dubai under the guidance of DMCC, the first coin in the series features the image of UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on one side, while Burj Al Arab is engraved on the other.

Other coins in the series will feature landmark images of Dubai that also reflect the spirit and identity of the emirate.

“With over 16 million visitors in the first half of 2007, Dubai has become one of the most popular destinations for tourists and shoppers from across the world,” said DMCC’s executive director for gold and precious metals Colin Griffith. “The 'Visions of Dubai' series of gold coins will serve as high-value tokens that visitors can purchase and take home as mementos and gifts.”

“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Jumeirah Retail, part of Jumeirah Group, as the first authorised distributor of these gold coins. Since the first coin in the collectible series features Burj Al Arab, it is appropriate that Jumeirah Retail has become the first authorized distributor of the coin. DMCC also welcomes Dubai Duty Free, one of the top three airport retailers in the world, as an authorised distributor of the 'Visions of Dubai' series. Both these organisations have long been associated with the promotion of Dubai as a leisure destination, and we are confident that they will prove exceptional partners in this latest DMCC venture,” he added.

“It is a great honour that Burj Al Arab, the world's most luxurious hotel and an iconic Jumeirah Group property, is featured on the first 'Visions of Dubai' gold coin. We are very proud to have been appointed as authorised distributors of the coins in Burj Al Arab's dedicated Al Dukan retail store, and we look forward to working with DMCC to continue to promote such innovative products to visitors and residents alike,” said Jumeirah Retail general manager Marcel Hendricks.

“The demand for gold among passengers travelling through Dubai International Airport is greater than ever. In the first half of 2007, sales in the gold category at Dubai Duty Free grew by 35 per cent to US$45 million. With such a strong demand, I am sure that the 'Visions of Dubai' series of gold coins will prove to be a great success,” said Dubai Duty Free managing director Colm McLoughlin.

“Visions of Dubai” was recently unveiled to more than 200 invited guests at a trade launch held at Burj Al Arab. Attendees were also invited to submit applications to become official distributors for Dubai's first souvenir gold coin. – TradeArabia News Service