Maryam Al Hashemi

Director, Precious Metals and Stones,
DMCC

Maryam Al Hashemi is the Director of Precious Metals and Stones at DMCC.

Joining the organisation in 2003, Maryam leads the precious metals and stones division at DMCC. As an industry expert, Maryam is responsible for expanding and diversifying DMCC’s precious stones portfolio and advancing Dubai’s status as a world leading hub for precious metals trade.

Maryam plays an important role in the development of strategic partnerships with various private sector groups – both at home and abroad – and serves as the conduit between DMCC and stakeholders in various UAE Ministries and Federal entities.

Since 2014, Maryam has served on the board of DMCC’s Dubai Diamond Exchange.

In addition to her responsibilities at DMCC, Maryam is also the Director of the United Arab Emirates Kimberley Process Office – the only entry and exit point for rough diamonds in the country.

Ashish Garg

HEAD OF BUSINESS,
KGK DIAMONDS & JEWELLERY

Mr. Ashish Garg is diamond expert and jewellery professional with 20 years of experience in this industry focusing on strategy formulation. He is Head of Business, for KGK Diamonds and Jewellery, Dubai a marketing arm of billion dollar KGK group for Middle East. Ashish is a thorough professional, with Business management diploma and 20 years of experience in gems and jewellery industry. He established the KGK’s diamond and jewellery business in various countries of Middle East, with Dubai as head office. Travelled across the world and served in various countries from India, Europe to Middle East, his main contribution has been to set up profitable strategic niche in diamond and jewellery segment for his company and create a team of professionals to handle each segment. Avid reader and writer, he has written articles for industry magazines on market segmentation and strategy formulation in jewellery sector of Middle East. He has been very active within industry circle and has been part of Board of directors of Dubai gold & jewellery group, a jewellers trade body of Dubai, since 2020. He has also been nominated for golden visa of Dubai for his services to diamond & jewellery Industry in Dubai.

Industry services and contributions:

• Board of director of Dubai Gold & Jewellery, Dubai

  • Ashish is representing Diamond industry in Dubai Gold & jewellery Group which is largest trade body of jewellery and diamond Industry. He adds his expertise in diamond side of trade to the Board of directors and thus represents interest and issues of diamond trade to Group and seek redressal of the same. Diamond trade today accounts for 30% of total non-oil trade in Dubai.

  • Participated in Covid vaccination drive for industry members as per permission of Dubai police on behalf of the DGJG and vaccinated almost 2000 people of gems and jewellery industry.

• Dubai customs - Member of committee for valuation of diamonds & diamond jewellery for Dubai customs. – On various occasion as per needs of Dubai customs, Mr Ashish has helped put valuation of the diamonds & jewellery to check the quality and estimate pricing to help customs verify the export and import goods and seized from various sources. His accurate assessment has helped customs to charge appropriate duties thus helping in revenue collection.

• Played proactive role in informing the diamond & jewellery Industry on AML laws and helped conduct various webinars to inform industry on AML laws and implementation processes.

• Organized free food service program for the industry members during Covid lock down to ensure that many industry artisian does not go hungry during that period.

• Part of various committee and groups to promote Dubai as hub for diamond and jewellery. Mr Ashish was part of committee of VOD dubai jewellery show, a b2b jewellery show in WTC.

• Ashish Garg has also ensured his availability as speaker and panel member during various seminars and industry forum to share his knowledge and experience to industry members.

• Ashish Garg also has helped many High-net-worth individuals in their purchases of diamonds and jewellery and has given valuable advises and guidance on their purchases and inheritance products valuation.

Dr Martin Leake

Special Advisor - Precious Stones,
DMCC

Dr Martin Leake is a Special Advisor for Precious Stones at DMCC. Appointed to the position in June 2018, Martin is responsible for expanding and diversifying DMCC’s Precious Stone portfolio and helping Dubai grow into the world’s number one diamond-trading hub.

As Company Secretary of the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE), Martin focuses on driving trade through the Exchange by forging, and strengthening commercial partnerships with stakeholders across the diamond industry, to improve governance, compliance and responsible sourcing. He also chairs the organising committee for DMCC’s flagship diamond event, the Dubai Diamond Conference (DDC).

With over 15 years of experience in marketing both rough and polished diamonds, Martin is an expert on the economics of diamond mining, and an internationally recognised exploration geologist in gold, diamonds, copper, iron ore and coal.

Prior to joining DMCC, Martin worked with BHP Billiton Diamonds Marketing and Grib Diamonds and has extensive experience in marketing, sales and business development. Across his career, Martin has lived and worked in 10 countries spanning Africa, Europe, Australia North and South America, and the Middle East.

Martin is a Board Member of the World Diamond Council, a member of the Executive Committee of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt.

He holds a BSc (Hons) in Geology and a PhD in Exploration Geology from the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom.

Bassel Bitar

Senior Manager, Corporate Sales – Asia and Eastern Europe,
DMCC

Bassel Bitar is the Senior Manager, Corporate Sales – Asia and Eastern Europe at DMCC, the world’s leading Free Zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise.

Joining DMCC as a Team Leader in 2015, Bassel is responsible for promoting the benefits of doing business in Dubai and setting up companies in DMCC.

Prior to joining DMCC, Bassel held senior sales positions at both Etisalat Telecom and Emirates NBD in Dubai.

Bassel earned a Bachelor of Business administration degree in Hotel Management and tourism from the National American University in 2002.