Alrosa Interested in Expanding Dubai Market Presence

Following a visit to Dubai by some of its top brass, Russian diamond miner Alrosa is viewing the Gulf location favorably and will open a sales office in the Dubai Diamond Exchange.

Alrosa already sells rough in Dubai via its partner and DTC Sightholder Kristall of Smolensk.

Alrosa’s president, Alexander Nichiporuk, visited Dubai last week during the jewelry show, and, according to reports in the Russian press, held a series of productive meetings.

The reports claim that the sales office will not limit itself to Russia mined goods, but will also offer rough diamonds from Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Russian rough will be of smaller sizes, a report in the Russia Journal says.

Market sources are wondering what part is being played by Israeli rough diamond trader Dan Gertler in the deal. Gertler’s DGI is marketing Angola’s Catoca diamonds thanks to Alrosa and is reportedly the person that introduced them into the Congo.