Qatar has officially launched the Qatar Diamond Exchange (QDE), a fully integrated trading platform for rough and polished diamonds and precious stones, marking a significant step in the country’s ambition to become a regional and global centre for the diamond trade. The exchange will operate from the Ras Bufontas Free Zone, adjacent to Hamad International Airport.
Developed by the Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ), the QDE brings together trading, membership, vaulting, certification, customs and industry services within a single regulated ecosystem. The exchange is designed to connect Doha with international diamond markets while supporting Qatar National Vision 2030 and the country’s broader economic diversification strategy.
“The Qatar Diamond Exchange represents an important step in Qatar’s efforts to further diversify its economy and strengthen its position as a trusted participant in global diamond trade,” said Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Faisal Al-Thani, CEO of QFZ and Chairman of QDE. He added that the exchange integrates the entire diamond and precious stones value chain, spanning trading, storage, vaulting, auctions, tenders and industry support services within a single regulated platform.
The exchange features a secure trading floor, private negotiation suites, an institutional-grade diamond vault with biometric access, 24/7 security and surveillance, along with on-site customs and Kimberley Process certification facilities. Purpose-built infrastructure, bonded storage, specialist logistics and multimodal connectivity are intended to provide faster, secure movement of high-value goods for international traders.
Membership is open to diamond traders, manufacturers, cutters, polishers, affiliated service providers and industry bodies. Members receive access to trading licences, independent valuation and assortment services, secure vaulting, specialist insurance, and free-zone incentives including 100% foreign ownership and 0% corporate tax for qualifying businesses.
Qatar became a full participant in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) in 2021. Under Law No. (15) of 2025, the Qatar Free Zones Authority was designated as the country’s competent authority for the Kimberley Process, with Qatar’s free zones serving as the sole authorised entry and exit points for rough diamonds. The QDE will act as the regulated marketplace for trading, storing and certifying diamonds under this framework.
Looking ahead, the exchange plans to host a calendar of rough and polished diamond tenders that will connect producers across Africa and Asia with buyers in Europe and the Gulf. By combining international regulatory standards with purpose-built infrastructure and investor-friendly policies, Qatar aims to establish Doha as a trusted gateway for the global diamond trade.
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