Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls, will establish a new laboratory to serve the global gem trade in Dubai Multi Commodities Centre’s (DMCC) new Uptown Tower.
The new GIA laboratory, set to open in mid-2023, will occupy over 41,000 square feet across two floors of the 340 meter tall Uptown Tower as part of a nine-year deal.
The tower’s 22 floors of grade-A premium office space are now substantially pre-leased ahead of the tower’s completion in the fourth quarter of 2022.
According to the statement, “By using the latest technology, including advanced GIA instrumentation, and carefully planning the space and processes, the custom design of the new laboratory space will create new efficiencies in GIA laboratory processes and services.”
Ahmed Bin Sulayem Executive Chairman & CEO DMCC
“We are immensely proud to be hosting GIA in DMCC’s Uptown Tower, Dubai. Representing a truly world-leading commercial, residential and retail offering, Uptown Tower has commanded significant interest from international and local businesses, as shown by the substantial office space pre-leased so far. The addition of the GIA to our business district further solidifies and forges our strategy of building an interconnected business community that supports and encourages global trade. Without question, Dubai is spearheading the development of the global diamond industry by supporting and adding value at every stage of the diamond supply chain. As well as connecting producers, manufacturers, and consumers across the world through our Dubai Diamond Exchange, we are now able to add even more support to the polished diamond industry by hosting the world’s leading diamond grader in DMCC.”
Furthermore, the announcement reaffirms Dubai’s status as a leading hub for the global diamond industry, with the emirate significantly accelerating its diamond trade growth over recent years.
“The growing importance of Dubai as a diamond center and its outstanding infrastructure make the DMCC an excellent choice for a significant expansion of GIA’s capacity. Dubai’s close proximity to the important diamond manufacturing and producing centers, in addition to efficient transportation links to global diamond markets, will help support our clients and, very importantly, extend our important consumer protection mission,” commented Mr. Tom Moses, executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer of GIA.
