April 8, 2006	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 9, 1427

DUBAI, April 7: Total trade in rough diamonds in Dubai grew by a record 46.25 per cent in 2005 to reach $3.73 billion, the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE) said on Friday. Dubai exported diamonds valued at $2.25 billion in 2005 while imports for the same period were $1.48 billion, the DDE said in a statement.

In terms of carat value, imports of rough diamonds stood at almost 37 million carats, while exports reached over 34 million carats, bringing total volume traded to over 71 million carats.

We are only one of three diamond bourses internationally that conduct B-2-B diamond tenders, enabling sellers to reach a wider market, said Noora Jamsheer, Chief Executive Officer of DDE, in the statement.—Reuters