Dubai rough trade up 5.36% to $3.93 BN in '06

Dubai�s total rough diamond trade reached $3.93 billion in 2006, up 5.36 per cent from $3.73 billion in 2005, according to the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE), a subsidiary of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC).

Rough diamond imports to the emirate reached $1.56 billion in 2006, while exports stood at $2.37 billion for the same period. In terms of volume, a total of 84.6 million carats were traded in 2006, compared to 71.2 million in 2005. In 2006, carat imports increased by 15 per cent, while exports grew by 23 per cent.