The Qatar Diamond Exchange (QDE) has officially been admitted as a member of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), the exclusive organisation that - as of now - unites 27 diamond bourses on five continents under common trading rules and a shared code of conduct. QDE’s admission was announced during the 41st World Diamond Congress, convened by the WFDB and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) in Singapore from 12 to 15 July 2026 and hosted by the Diamond Exchange of Singapore.
Mehul Shah, the newly elected President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, said: "The WFDB is delighted to welcome the Qatar Diamond Exchange as a member. Qatar has real potential in diamonds with a friendly, business-first policy environment, strong buying power, and an excellent geographical location. We wish the QDE every success and look forward to the 2027 Presidents' Meeting in Qatar."
Mehul Shah (left) with Ghanim Nasser Al-Saadi
Qatar has been part of the global diamond ecosystem since 2021, when the country joined the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KP) as a full participant. WFDB membership now builds a new trade bridge between Qatar and the industry's principal markets. For the exchange itself, it is recognition from the world's bourses. QDE takes its place in the federation's global network of member exchanges. Companies trading in QDE gain reciprocal recognition across the federation's bourses, access to its arbitration framework, and the assurance that trade in Qatar is conducted under the WFDB’s Code of Conduct. In a further endorsement, the WFDB nominated Qatar to host its 2027 Annual Presidents' Meeting, bringing the leadership of the world's diamond bourses to Qatar for the first time.
Ghanim Nasser Al-Saadi, Director of the Qatar Diamond Exchange, commented: "There is no higher compliment in this trade than the world's bourses opening their doors to you. Membership of the WFDB means the QDE now trades to the same world standard as the industry's leading centres. That is the real value of this recognition. They have looked at our exchange, our standards, and our people, and welcomed us as one of their own. Being nominated to host the 2027 Presidents' Meeting is a responsibility we welcome; next year the leadership of the global diamond industry will see Qatar's exchange first-hand."
The announcement builds on the QDE’s recent admission to the World Diamond Council (WDC), the organisation that represents the diamond industry within the KP. With both memberships in place, QDE operates in line with the WDC System of Warranties and the WFDB Code of Conduct across all its activities.
Ghanim Nasser Al-Saadi
Formally announced earlier this week, the Qatar Diamond Exchange opens a new trade sector for Qatar, connecting the country to the global diamond industry in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. QDE operates as a single regulated platform that offers a secure trading floor, private negotiation suites, an institutional-grade vault with 24/7 on-site security, and on-site customs and KP certification. All located at Ras Bufontas Free Zone, adjacent to Hamad International Airport.