DANAT opens registration for Gem-A Foundation and Diploma programs
As the first institution in the Middle East to be accredited by Gem-A, DANAT will offer these advanced academic tracks starting in September, sponsored by the Labour Fund (Tamkeen).
Obtaining the internationally recognized Gemmology Diploma Programme certificate unlocks a wealth of career opportunities in the fast-growing global gemstone market, where demand for qualified experts continues to rise. This demand is particularly significant in light of the limited number of Bahraini professionals in the field and the increasing need to develop local expertise. As a result, programme graduates are well-equipped to pursue rewarding careers across both the local and international jewelry industries.
The programme is part of DANAT's broader initiative to offer globally certified educational opportunities in gemmological sciences. Participants will also have access to the use of internationally respected professional titles, including FGA, which denotes completion of the Gemmology Diploma.
The Gem-A Gemmology Foundation Programme is designed to support individuals aspiring to build or advance a career in the gemstone and jewellery sectors. It provides a rigorous introduction to the field and is particularly valuable for those looking to establish a strong foundational skillset. With over 110 years of expertise embedded in its curriculum, the programme is delivered by a team of experienced and certified instructors.
The programme spans 16 weeks, with instruction held one day per week over a four-month period. Participants will engage in over 300 hours of integrated theoretical and practical training, delivered within a cutting-edge educational setting designed to foster personalised learning and skill development.
Commenting on the launch, Mrs. Noora Jamsheer, CEO of DANAT, highlighted the programme's transformative potential: "This internationally accredited programme presents a valuable opportunity for individuals aspiring to build a sustainable and impactful career in the gemstone sector, whether in the fields of research, academia, laboratory analysis, or the commercial jewellery industry. By enrolling in these programmes, participants gain access to cutting-edge knowledge and hands-on expertise that empower them to launch entrepreneurial initiatives, strengthen their investment acumen in gemstones, and explore a broad spectrum of roles across the entire jewellery industry."
Mrs. Jamsheer further affirmed her confidence in the role these programmes will play in addressing regional talent gaps, and emphasised their alignment with Bahrain's Vision 2030, particularly in nurturing human capital in specialised strategic fields. By cultivating a new generation of highly qualified gemmological professionals, DANAT reinforces its dedication to advancing Bahrain's status as a global hub for gemstones and jewellery expertise and ensuring long-term industry development in line with international standards.
-Ends-
About DANAT:
Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT) was established in 2017, under the aegis of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain. It was formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat), the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom. Its vision is to become the world's preferred institute for natural pearls and gemstones' third-party verification services and scientific research.
As a reflection of Bahrain's ancient pearling history and the strong desire to protect this heritage, DANAT was established as the guardian of global gemological excellence. It plays a vital role in ensuring, protecting and enhancing public trust in pearls, gemstones and jewelry. DANAT is an authority on industry standards, scientific knowledge and education, and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of professional and personal ethics.
For more information on DANAT, kindly contact.
muneera.alfadhel@DANAT.bh
Marketing & Communications
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
NRIs in UAE: Tax officers can now access digital evidence of evasive manoeuvres
Question: I am told that tax officers in India are using digital evidence to detect evasion of taxes both in India and abroad. Does this not violate a citizen's right to privacy? ANSWER: The internal handbook for tax officers has recently been revised whereby investigators are permitted to use data access tools from the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing permitting them to enter the web where tax evaders often trade and chat. User credentials have been created for IT officials to access the web through special software. Currently, taxmen have to deal with an array of digital evidence, especially when it comes to dealing with transactions in virtual digital assets (VDAs). Therefore, steps and procedures have been outlined in the manual for identification and seizure of hardware and locating recovery phrases and QR codes to access private keys. Further, tax officers have been empowered to determine the ownership and location of unaccounted VDAs. If this involves violation of the black money law, Foreign Exchange Management Act or the Money Laundering Act, investigations would be commenced by other enforcement agencies as well under such laws. However, officers have been advised to follow the procedures and directions contained in the digital evidence investigation manual and to ensure that data security is not compromised and the personal data of citizens is protected. Question: With artificial intelligence techniques being applied widely in every sphere of industry, will India's advantage of offering labour at a competitive cost disappear? ANSWER: The advantage is emerging in a different landscape. There is a clear shift in India during the past three years towards high value added work like research and development in global sciences, technology and engineering. This shift is apparent from the fact that more than half of Fortune 500 companies have set up their Global Capability Centres in India. Atleast one GCC was set up in India every week in 2024. The country has about 1,800 GCCs employing close to 2.16 million professionals, recording a compounded annual growth rate of 11 per cent over the past five years. These business units are likely to employ 2.8 million professionals by 2030. Further, these outfits are now shifting to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where skilled manpower is available and the cost of real estate is 30 per cent to 40 per cent lower than in the metros. The Government of India is going out of its way to provide legislative support and a hassle free administration to ensure that the GCC ecosystem can attain its full potential. Other areas in which GCCs are now concentrating are in the fields of data science and product development. It is therefore expected that the GCCs contribution to the Indian economy will be around $200 billion by 2030 as against $68 billion at present. The primary reason for multinationals setting up these business outfits in India is that the country has 28 per cent of the global technology, science and engineering workforce and 23 per cent of the global software engineering talent. Question: Have government authorities provided any guidelines for appointment of senior managers in financial institutions with a view to ensure that persons of independent stature control the affairs of such institutions? ANSWER: The Securities and Exchange Board of India has laid down regulations and prescribed the process for appointment of key management personnel by market infrastructure institutions (MIIs). To strengthen the governance framework for stock exchanges, clearing corporations and security depositories, the guidelines require that the key management personnel (KMP) of MIIs should be persons of independent stature in crucial areas of operations, such as compliance, risk management, technology and information security. SEBI has mandated that MIIs should appoint an independent external agency which would identify and recommend suitable candidates for appointment as compliance officers, chief regulatory officers and other senior managers. This agency is required to submit its recommendations to the Nomination and Remuneration Committee which in turn would evaluate the recommendations and submit its report for appointment of KMP to the Board of Directors of the MII. The final decision would thereafter be taken by the Board and the same procedure would be followed for reappointment, termination or acceptance of resignation of KMP. The writer is a practising lawyer, specialising in corporate and fiscal laws of India.
Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE Central Bank suspends foreign insurance company's motor business
The Central Bank of the UAE has suspended the motor insurance business of a foreign insurance company's branch (insurer). The insurer remains liable for all rights and obligations arising from insurance contracts concluded before the suspension, the authority stated on Tuesday, July 29. The legal actions comes after the entity failed to comply with the solvency and guarantee requirements, specified in the law and prevailing regulations governing insurance companies in the UAE. This is not the first time the Central Bank has taken action against a foreign entity's branch. The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has imposed a financial penalty of Dh5.9 million on a foreign bank branch operating within the country for failing to comply with anti-money laundering regulations. On July 16, the authority imposed a financial sanction of Dh600,000 on a branch of a foreign bank in the UAE. The apex bank did not reveal the name of the bank that has been penalised. The branch was reported to not be complying with the Market Conduct and Consumer Protection Regulations and Standards. Meanwhile, on July 2, the authority announced it had imposed a financial penalty of Dh5.9 million on a foreign bank branch operating within the country for failing to comply with anti-money laundering regulations. The name of the bank penalised by the apex bank was not disclosed.
Zawya
5 hours ago
- Zawya
Boursa Kuwait sees a 61.12% surge in its net profit for the first half of 2025
Kuwait City: In a meeting of its Board of Directors on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Boursa Kuwait announced that it recorded a net profit of KD 15.11 million for the first half of 2025, a 61.12% increase from its total for the corresponding period in 2024, when the company recorded profits of KD 9.38 million. The company's remarkable improvement in net profit was largely driven by strong growth in total operating revenues, which reached KD 24.20 million in the first half of 2025, representing a 41.13% increase from the KD 17.15 million recorded in the same period in 2024. Operating profit also saw a significant boost, rising 59.53% from KD 11.58 million to KD 18.47 million, while earnings per share increased 61.12% from 46.71 fils in the first half of 2024 to 75.27 fils for the period ended June 30, 2025. The Group's total assets came in at KD 123.87 million as of June 30, 2025, which is a 9.26% increase over its KD 113.37 million total in 2024, while shareholders' equity attributable to equity holders of the parent company increased from KD 58.75 million as of June 30, 2024, to KD 66.20 million as of June 30, 2025, an increase of 12.68%. Boursa Kuwait's financial results for the first half of 2025 serve as a clear indicator of the company's strong financial position and the effectiveness of its operational strategies. 'These results reaffirm Boursa Kuwait's capacity to navigate the complex geopolitical and economic challenges experienced worldwide while maintaining sustainable growth supported by revenue diversification and enhanced liquidity levels, which strengthens confidence in the exchange's operational efficiency and long-term resilience,' said Boursa Kuwait Chairman Mr. Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi. 'This growth marks a significant milestone in our journey, giving us greater momentum to advance our development plans to modernize market infrastructure, diversify investment instruments and strengthen its appeal to both local and international investors. It also reinforces Boursa Kuwait's position as a key driver of economic growth and a major contributor to the state's vision of becoming a competitive financial and investment hub in the region, capable of attracting strategic and long-term capital from around the world,' he added. To pave the way for Part Two of Phase Three of the Market Development Program, the Kuwaiti capital market apparatus has undertaken major enhancements to restructure its regulatory and operational infrastructure. Officially rolled out earlier this month, the phase reflects the close collaboration between Boursa Kuwait, the Capital Markets Authority, the Central Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait Clearing Company, local banks and investment and brokerage firms as well as their collective efforts to advance the development and sustainability of the Kuwaiti capital market and the national economy. Al-Kharafi stressed that this achievement is the direct result of seamless collaboration across the capital market apparatus and a shared determination to create tangible value for investors, stating that Boursa Kuwait remains committed to accelerating growth and delivering transformative milestones that secure the long-term sustainability of the national economy, working closely with all stakeholders in the Kuwaiti capital market apparatus. 'This breakthrough underscores the private sector's agility and effectiveness in advancing development and forging impactful partnerships with the public sector, further cementing Kuwait's position as a confident and rising regional financial hub,' he said. The Boursa Kuwait Chairman concluded his statement, saying: 'On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express my gratitude to our shareholders for their continued trust in the company and to executive management and employees for their unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence. I would also like to thank the Capital Markets Authority and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for their ongoing support and collaboration, which have contributed to strengthening market stability and raising its standards. 'My appreciation also goes to the investors, traders and market participants for their sustained confidence in Boursa Kuwait, reaffirming our commitment to deliver a superlative investment experience and working closely with the capital market apparatus to deliver greater milestones in the future,' he said. The Kuwaiti capital market continued its upward trajectory in the first half of 2025, with traded value soaring by 90.39% from KD 6.63 billion in the first half of 2024 to KD 12.63 billion in the corresponding period in 2025, while traded volume rose by 82.95% from 27.03 billion shares to 49.45 billion shares. Meanwhile, average daily traded value increased by 95.31% from KD 55.73 million during the period ended June 30, 2024, to KD 108.85 million in the period ended June 30, 2025. Additionally, market capitalization reached KD 50.53 billion, marking a 23.20% increase from the total of KD 41.02 billion recorded during the first half of 2024. The 'Premier' Market was a key driver of market activity, with value traded increasing 47.09% from its total of KD 4.99 billion in the first half of 2024 to KD 7.34 billion in the first half of 2025, with approximately 20.21 billion shares traded in the first half of 2025, an increase of 40.98% over the 14.34 billion shares traded in the period ended June 30, 2024. Meanwhile, the market capitalization in Boursa Kuwait's flagship market increased by 24.45% from KD 33.97 billion to KD 42.27 billion in the period ended June 30, 2025. The 'Main' Market also played a significant role in enhancing overall market liquidity, as traded value increased by 221.36% from KD 1.65 billion to KD 5.29 billion in the first half of 2025, while trading volume increased from 12.69 billion shares in the first half of 2024 to 28.60 billion shares in the first half of 2025, an increase of 125.38%. Market capitalization, meanwhile, rose by 17.20% from KD 7.05 billion in the period ended June 30, 2024, to KD 8.27 billion in the period ended June 30, 2025. Boursa Kuwait's Chief Executive Officer Mr. Mohammad Saud Al-Osaimi praised the Kuwaiti capital market's performance during the first half of 2025, emphasizing that these results are an indication of the positive response to the operational and regulatory enhancements in the Kuwaiti capital market, noting Boursa Kuwait's commitment to developing a balanced and efficient investment environment that serves investors of all asset classes. 'These positive indicators showcase the robustness of the Kuwaiti capital market's regulatory framework and our continued efforts to enhance infrastructure, diversify products and elevate the investor experience, further strengthening Boursa Kuwait's position as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth that meets the standards of investors across all segments,' he added. 'The segmentation of the market plays a pivotal role in structuring trading activities to meet liquidity needs and accommodate a diverse investor base. The 'Premier' Market has maintained stable trading values, while the 'Main' Market has shown remarkable activity, reflecting heightened interest and interaction with the investment opportunities it offers,' he said. As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the Kuwaiti capital market's global presence, Boursa Kuwait organized a series of roadshows and corporate days targeting the international investment community in collaboration with Kuwait Clearing Company. These included a virtual roadshow for asset managers in Asia in collaboration with HSBC, as well as an in-person roadshow in London in collaboration with Jefferies Financial Group. The events showcased Boursa Kuwait's journey since privatization and highlighted the key developments and investment opportunities within the Kuwaiti capital market. Additionally, Boursa Kuwait participated in the fourth GCC Exchanges Conference, organized by HSBC in London, coinciding with its 15th Corporate Day, which featured eight companies listed on the 'Premier' Market. Al-Osaimi noted that Boursa Kuwait continues to attract investors through its series of Corporate Days and Roadshows held in major financial capitals, reflecting the State of Kuwait's vision to emerge as a premier financial and investment hub in the region. He added, 'Through active engagement with world-renowned investment banks, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and asset management firms, the exchange has cultivated a robust investor base as institutional investors accounted for 65.08% of total participants, a testament to the Kuwaiti capital market's growing stability, enhanced liquidity, and increasing appeal to both local and international investors.' The Boursa Kuwait CEO concluded his remarks by thanking the Capital Markets Authority, Kuwait Clearing Company and market participants for their continued trust in Boursa Kuwait and its role as a vital contributor to the country's economic development and reaffirmed the company's commitment to expanding its range of products, enhancing market efficiency and accessibility, focusing on strong governance and transparency to further strengthen investor confidence. Since its inception, Boursa Kuwait has worked diligently to create a thriving capital market that attracts local and foreign investors through a broad spectrum of new products and services, infrastructure upgrades, and market reform initiatives, as part of its multi-phase market development plans. The company was fully privatized in 2019, the first government entity in the country to successfully undergo the process, bringing about greater levels of efficiency. Boursa Kuwait also self-listed in September 2020 and has made great strides in sustaining its operations and business continuity in the face of uncertainties and challenges. The company has rolled out numerous market reforms and new initiatives as part of its comprehensive multi-phase market development (MD) plans and showcases some of the standout listed companies and the investment opportunities that reside in the Kuwaiti capital market through its series of Roadshows and Corporate Days, putting these companies in touch with some of the world's leading investment firms and financial institutions and highlighting their financial health and business strategies and outlooks, to help investors gain an in-depth understanding of the benefits and opportunities of investing in Kuwaiti companies. About Boursa Kuwait: The establishment of Boursa Kuwait in 2014 marked the first step in the privatization of the Kuwait Stock Exchange, which was originally founded in 1977 as the first stock exchange in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The Exchange was restructured in 1983 as an independent financial institution. The transitional phase began in 2016, during which Boursa Kuwait officially took over the operations of the Kuwait Stock Exchange under an official license granted the same year, following the successful completion of the transition. This process involved developing the Exchange's infrastructure and aligning its operations with international best practices and standards. A key objective was to establish an advanced, reliable trading platform built on principles of efficiency, credibility, and transparency—serving all asset classes while focusing on the interests of market participants and the broader national economy. Boursa Kuwait has undertaken a series of market reforms as part of its comprehensive strategy to enhance the market in multiple phases. The company successfully introduced innovative investment tools, increased transparency, and restructured the market to boost liquidity and enhance its competitiveness. These efforts are in line with Boursa Kuwait's mission-driven strategy to elevate the market in accordance with global standards. As a result of these developmental and improvement initiatives, Kuwait's capital market was reclassified as an "Emerging Market" by leading global index providers—further reinforcing Kuwait's status as a prominent regional financial hub. In a landmark step for privatization in Kuwait, Boursa Kuwait's privatization process was completed in two phases. The first phase took place in February 2019, when a consortium of Kuwaiti investment companies and an international operator won the privatization bid and acquired a 44% stake in the company. The second phase was completed in December 2019 through a public offering of the Capital Markets Authority's 50% stake in the company, which was allocated exclusively to Kuwaiti citizens. The offering was oversubscribed by more than 850%. Boursa Kuwait is self-listed on the "Premier Market" under the ticker symbol "Boursa". For more information, please contact: Ahmad Rashed Al-Owaish Public Relations and Media Manager – Boursa Kuwait Email: AAlowaish@
