Ahmed Sultan Bin Sulayem


Ahmed Sultan Bin Sulayem is the Executive Chairman of DMCC, the free zone authority in Jumeirah Lakes Towers and established in 2002 by the Government of Dubai to provide the physical, market and financial infrastructure required to establish the emirate as a hub for global commodities trade. He is the son of Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. As of September 2018, DMCC had over 15,000 registered members operating within its free zone including commodities, businesses as well as other sectors. In 2018, Bin Sulayem completed 17 years with DMCC.

Career

As the Executive Chairman of DMCC, Bin Sulayem has played a key role in establishing and positioning DMCC as a major commodities trade hub in the region. Under his leadership, DMCC has introduced a number of value-added products and services; including the establishment of the Dubai Diamond Exchange, the only diamond exchange in the Arab World affiliated to the World Federation of Diamond Bourses; Dubai Tea Trading Centre which offers a range of value-added facilities to the global tea trade and has contributed to the UAE becoming the world's largest re-exporter of tea; DMCC Tradeflow, a central registry of ownership for commodities stored in Dubai stimulating commodity trade by offering enforceable collateral based trade finance solutions; as well as other services, such as gold refineries, gold and diamond vaults; as well as the UAE gold bullion coins and the Visions of Dubai gold souvenir coins.
Bin Sulayem joined DMCC in 2001 as a director, prior to the official launch of the entity in 2002, and his responsibilities included overseeing the organisation's operations. In addition to his responsibilities as Executive Chairman Bin Sulayem also serves as the Director of Human Resources, Director of Dubai Shariah Asset Management and Dubai Commodity Asset Management.
He has also played a leading role in reviving Dubai's traditional pearling industry by launching the Dubai Pearl Exchange in 2007 and conceptualizing the design of Almas Tower, the tallest commercial building in the Middle East, home to Dubai Diamond Exchange, one of the largest vaults in the UAE, and DMCC headquarters.
Ground Breaking in 2005
In April 2011, DMCC hosted the World Federation of Diamond Bourse's annual Presidents' meeting, an initiative spearheaded by Bin Sulayem. This event was the first of its kind to be held in the Arab world. In addition, on August 15, 2011, Bin Sulayem unveiled the prototype of the UAE's first gold bullion coin. The coin recognises the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Designed by DMCC, the “Khalifa” coin features a portrait of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa on one side, and on the other, Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower.
Following the announcement of its first gold UAE bullion coin in August 2011, on 2 December 2011, DMCC released the first design impressions of the second UAE bullion coin as part of DMCC's celebration of the 40th anniversary of the UAE and in recognition of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Titled “Palm Jumeirah”, the gold coin features a portrait of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on one side, and on the other, an image of the iconic Palm Jumeirah. The coin is the second in a series and follows the “Burj Khalifa” coin which was successfully launched last August, and paid tribute to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
In June 2012, Bin Sulayem received UN accreditation to represent Western Asia on behalf of CIBJO, the international jewellery confederation of national trade organisations. CIBJO has been a consultative member of ECOSOC, the United Nations Economic and Social Council, since 2006. ECOSOC is one of the largest agencies operating under the United Nations umbrella, and is a coalition involving government, civil society and the business community.
In June 2013, he received the Crowe Horwath Award for 'Government Personality of the Year. This was presented to Bin Sulayem for his role in the expansion of the global commodities sector; his commitment towards establishing Dubai as the global gateway to trade; DMCC's contribution to Dubai's economy through the over 7,400 companies operating from its free zone; his efforts in developing Dubai's Islamic Finance sector through pioneering products and services; and his social and philanthropic work focused on society, culture and heritage.
Also in June 2013, Bin Sulayem became recognised as a prominent fan of the LA Lakers due to the full page advertisement he took out in the Los Angeles Times paying tribute to Kobe Bryant. The ad thanked Kobe Bryant for his contributions to the LA Lakers and wished him a speedy recovery. In September 2013, Bin Sulayem hosted Kobe Bryant's first trip to the UAE as part of the DMCC Kobe Bryant Health and Fitness Weekend where he also presented Bryant with a DMCC Free Zone license.
In December 2015, Bin Sulayem was appointed chair of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for a one-year term.
In addition to his role at DMCC, Bin Sulayem is also Chairman of the Dubai Diamond Exchange, which is a DMCC platform. Bin Sulayem is also the Chairman of the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange, which is a DMCC platform.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, California State University – San Bernardino, 2000.

Timeline