1)



* Up from US$10.73 billion in 2005.
* Imports reach 489 tonnes, while exports touch 274 tonnes.
* Steady trade despite high prices reflects Dubai’s service and pricing.

Dubai, January 16, 2007: Gold trade through Dubai reached US$14.75 billion in 2006, an increase of 37 per cent from 2005, according to a statement by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC). In 2005, Dubai’s gold trade was estimated at US$10.73 billion, up marginally from US$10.17 billion in 2004.

A total of 489 tonnes of gold was imported into Dubai in 2006, while exports from Dubai increased by 23 per cent to 274 tonnes. In line with global trends, there was a minor decrease in imports in 2006, which touched 522 tonnes in 2005. Dubai’s top trading partners for gold are India, Switzerland, the UK, Malaysia and the GCC states, but the geographical reach of business has certainly expanded.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chief Operating Officer at DMCC, said: “Despite consistently high prices, the significant growth in the value of gold imported and exported through Dubai in 2006 reinforces the Emirate’s traditional role as the gold centre of the region. The figures compare very well against other global gold centres, particularly in Europe where higher gold prices resulted in significantly lower demand in 2006.”

He continued: “It is also worth noting that a large percentage of Dubai’s gold trade is conducted by companies operating under the DMCC umbrella.”

“Gold trade through Dubai remained remarkably steady throughout the year, touching US$3.58 billion, US$4.06 billion, US$3.37 billion and US$3.74 billion respectively for the four quarters of 2006,” said Colin Griffith, Executive Director for Gold at DMCC, commenting on the release of the data received by DMCC from the Statistics Department of Dubai World.

“Gold prices, which averaged US$604 per ounce in 2006, have rallied in the last few years, backed by strong investor sentiment,” said Griffith. “The significant amount of gold trade through Dubai, while prices are at historical highs, fully reflects the good service and excellent pricing in the ‘City of Gold.’”

He added: “Several factors are expected to impact the prices of gold this year, including fluctuations in the US economy, the price of oil, and social and political unrest around the globe. We expect the market to remain extremely volatile as a result. But as Dubai becomes an important destination for gold refining and manufacturing, the gold trade through the Emirate will be impacted positively. In addition to being the ‘Golden Gateway to India,’ the level of trading in gold on the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange continues to increase year on year.”



2)


Demand from Saudi Arabia and Egypt is expected to boost Dubai's gold imports in the second quarter, Dubai traders and industry officials said on Saturday.
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* Dubai launches Islamic commodity hedge fund index
* December steel prices indicate that the market may have reached rock bottom in November.
* Ratings agencies revise Dubai corporates
* Financial crisis spurs glittering success
* US $200m blow to steel traders as prices plunge from July high

Dubai is a centre for the import and re-export of gold, bringing in 489 tonnes of gold in 2006 and exporting 274 tonnes, according to the Dubai Multi Commodities Exchange (DMCC).
"Dubai's gold import in the second quarter will be higher than the first quarter of 2007 and higher than the first quarter of last year," said Moaz Barakat, managing director of the World Gold Council in the Middle East, Turkey and Pakistan.

"Demand from countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia for Dubai gold is increasing and the city is increasing its imports to meet this demand," he told Reuters.

Dubai's first quarter gold imports rose to 132 tonnes, up 14.8 % compared with the same period last year, while exports fell 23.3 % to 66 tonnes, the DMCC said.

Gold demand in Saudi Arabia rose 6.9 % to 26 tonnes in the first quarter of 2007, while in Egypt, the most populous Arab country, it jumped 15.4 % to 15.7 tonnes, the World Gold Council has said.

"Demand for Dubai gold is becoming ... huge and more gold is getting into the city which has succeeded in truly becoming the world's city of gold," said Tawhid Abdullah, managing director of the Gold and Jewellery Group in the Gulf Arab emirate.

Total value of gold traded through the city during the first quarter was $4.080 billion, up from $3.588 billion during the first quarter of last year.

Local traders said that recent high gold prices had not affected the appetite for Dubai's gold.

"People are fine with the current price levels and they do not mind paying more as long as they are getting the best designs and the best quality, which are the traits of Dubai gold," a trader said.

"Countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia who have historic gold markets, are asking for our gold and many jewellers here have opened shops in these countries."

In Egypt, where residents once considered gold the skin of the gods and lavished it on their ancient pharaohs as they passed to the afterlife, many women only buy Dubai-branded jewellery from small shops on Al-Sagha Street - Cairo's equivalent to Old Bond Street in London.

"Most women here would not like the traditional piece of gold jewellery. We want to wear something fancy, trendy and unusual, which you can find in pieces that come from Dubai," 33-year-old gold shopper Halima Madeh said.

Spot gold bullion peaked at $730 an ounce in May 2006, its highest level since a record peak above $800 in 1980. Prices now stand at around $658 an ounce, a 27 % rise since the start of 2006.

"The market has adjusted to the higher gold price and physical trading is now carrying on the same way as it was at $480 an ounce a year or 18 months ago," Colin Griffith, a senior DMCC official and head of the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange, told Reuters.



3)
...............



sorry sweety thats what i found
hope they could help

your sis
a7la banootah

1)



* Up from US$10.73 billion in 2005.
* Imports reach 489 tonnes, while exports touch 274 tonnes.
* Steady trade despite high prices reflects Dubai’s service and pricing.

Dubai, January 16, 2007: Gold trade through Dubai reached US$14.75 billion in 2006, an increase of 37 per cent from 2005, according to a statement by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC). In 2005, Dubai’s gold trade was estimated at US$10.73 billion, up marginally from US$10.17 billion in 2004.

A total of 489 tonnes of gold was imported into Dubai in 2006, while exports from Dubai increased by 23 per cent to 274 tonnes. In line with global trends, there was a minor decrease in imports in 2006, which touched 522 tonnes in 2005. Dubai’s top trading partners for gold are India, Switzerland, the UK, Malaysia and the GCC states, but the geographical reach of business has certainly expanded.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chief Operating Officer at DMCC, said: “Despite consistently high prices, the significant growth in the value of gold imported and exported through Dubai in 2006 reinforces the Emirate’s traditional role as the gold centre of the region. The figures compare very well against other global gold centres, particularly in Europe where higher gold prices resulted in significantly lower demand in 2006.”

He continued: “It is also worth noting that a large percentage of Dubai’s gold trade is conducted by companies operating under the DMCC umbrella.”

“Gold trade through Dubai remained remarkably steady throughout the year, touching US$3.58 billion, US$4.06 billion, US$3.37 billion and US$3.74 billion respectively for the four quarters of 2006,” said Colin Griffith, Executive Director for Gold at DMCC, commenting on the release of the data received by DMCC from the Statistics Department of Dubai World.

“Gold prices, which averaged US$604 per ounce in 2006, have rallied in the last few years, backed by strong investor sentiment,” said Griffith. “The significant amount of gold trade through Dubai, while prices are at historical highs, fully reflects the good service and excellent pricing in the ‘City of Gold.’”

He added: “Several factors are expected to impact the prices of gold this year, including fluctuations in the US economy, the price of oil, and social and political unrest around the globe. We expect the market to remain extremely volatile as a result. But as Dubai becomes an important destination for gold refining and manufacturing, the gold trade through the Emirate will be impacted positively. In addition to being the ‘Golden Gateway to India,’ the level of trading in gold on the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange continues to increase year on year.”



2)


Demand from Saudi Arabia and Egypt is expected to boost Dubai's gold imports in the second quarter, Dubai traders and industry officials said on Saturday.
Related Stories

* Gold traded through Dubai hits record
* Dubai launches Islamic commodity hedge fund index
* December steel prices indicate that the market may have reached rock bottom in November.
* Ratings agencies revise Dubai corporates
* Financial crisis spurs glittering success
* US $200m blow to steel traders as prices plunge from July high

Dubai is a centre for the import and re-export of gold, bringing in 489 tonnes of gold in 2006 and exporting 274 tonnes, according to the Dubai Multi Commodities Exchange (DMCC).
"Dubai's gold import in the second quarter will be higher than the first quarter of 2007 and higher than the first quarter of last year," said Moaz Barakat, managing director of the World Gold Council in the Middle East, Turkey and Pakistan.

"Demand from countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia for Dubai gold is increasing and the city is increasing its imports to meet this demand," he told Reuters.

Dubai's first quarter gold imports rose to 132 tonnes, up 14.8 % compared with the same period last year, while exports fell 23.3 % to 66 tonnes, the DMCC said.

Gold demand in Saudi Arabia rose 6.9 % to 26 tonnes in the first quarter of 2007, while in Egypt, the most populous Arab country, it jumped 15.4 % to 15.7 tonnes, the World Gold Council has said.

"Demand for Dubai gold is becoming ... huge and more gold is getting into the city which has succeeded in truly becoming the world's city of gold," said Tawhid Abdullah, managing director of the Gold and Jewellery Group in the Gulf Arab emirate.

Total value of gold traded through the city during the first quarter was $4.080 billion, up from $3.588 billion during the first quarter of last year.

Local traders said that recent high gold prices had not affected the appetite for Dubai's gold.

"People are fine with the current price levels and they do not mind paying more as long as they are getting the best designs and the best quality, which are the traits of Dubai gold," a trader said.

"Countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia who have historic gold markets, are asking for our gold and many jewellers here have opened shops in these countries."

In Egypt, where residents once considered gold the skin of the gods and lavished it on their ancient pharaohs as they passed to the afterlife, many women only buy Dubai-branded jewellery from small shops on Al-Sagha Street - Cairo's equivalent to Old Bond Street in London.

"Most women here would not like the traditional piece of gold jewellery. We want to wear something fancy, trendy and unusual, which you can find in pieces that come from Dubai," 33-year-old gold shopper Halima Madeh said.

Spot gold bullion peaked at $730 an ounce in May 2006, its highest level since a record peak above $800 in 1980. Prices now stand at around $658 an ounce, a 27 % rise since the start of 2006.

"The market has adjusted to the higher gold price and physical trading is now carrying on the same way as it was at $480 an ounce a year or 18 months ago," Colin Griffith, a senior DMCC official and head of the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange, told Reuters.



3)
...............



sorry sweety thats what i found
hope they could help

your sis
a7la banootah