Ahmed Bin Sulayem: Driving DMCC’s rise as a global trade hub

Dubai: Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, has overseen the organisation’s growth from 28 member companies in 2003 to more than 26,000 companies from over 180 countries, employing more than 90,000 people. Over more than two decades, Bin Sulayem has led DMCC’s efforts to enhance commodity trade flows through Dubai, developing infrastructure, platforms and services that have strengthened the emirate’s position in international commerce. His leadership has also shaped DMCC’s physical expansion. He oversaw the development of the DMCC Free Zone in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, a 200-hectare business and residential community where more than 100,000 people live and work across 87 towers, and oversees the development of the Uptown Dubai district. One of Bin Sulayem’s most prominent achievements has been the development of Dubai’s diamond sector. He led the creation of infrastructure and trading platforms that made Dubai the world’s largest hub for rough and polished diamonds. He also serves as Chairman of the Dubai Diamond Exchange and the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange. His international role in the diamond industry includes the Kimberley Process. The UAE became the first and only Arab country appointed to chair the Kimberley Process in November 2015, with Bin Sulayem appointed by the UAE Ministry of Economy as the UAE’s Chair for 2016. He was appointed Chair for a historic second time in 2024 and again in 2025. Beyond diamonds, Bin Sulayem has advanced Dubai’s gold and precious metals sector, strengthened its coffee and tea trade, and built the region’s largest community of digital-asset companies. This approach combines detailed sector knowledge with identifying opportunities and translating them into initiatives that strengthen Dubai’s global commercial position. DMCC’s growth has also been recognised internationally. In 2023, it was named Global Free Zone of the Year by the Financial Times’ fDi Magazine for a record ninth consecutive year. Bin Sulayem’s achievements have now been recognised with the Dubai-it Award in the Project Managers Segment for using Dubai’s strategic position to grow multiple commercial sectors and deliver exceptional results in record time. The Dubai-it initiative was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to promote a model of turning ambition into tangible achievement. At its heart is the concept of achieving something extraordinary with excellence in record time, inspired by the principle: “We say what we do, and we do what we say.” The Dubai-it Award, launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, celebrates achievements that demonstrate bold ambition, excellent and fast execution, and lasting impact. Bin Sulayem’s recognition reflects the scale and breadth of DMCC’s development under his leadership. From diamonds and precious metals to coffee, tea and digital assets, his work has focused on identifying commercial opportunities and building the infrastructure and business communities needed to develop them. From a 28-company start-up in 2003 to an international business district hosting more than 26,000 companies from over 180 countries and employing more than 90,000 people, DMCC’s growth represents the scale of that transformation. For Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the Dubai-it Award recognises a leadership record closely connected with Dubai’s wider evolution as an international centre for trade and enterprise, built on sector expertise, ambitious ideas, rapid execution and tangible results.