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Pearl trade exposes UAE to foreign markets : Owais

ABU DHABI — The Arabian Gulf pearl trade enriched the social, economic, and cultural life in the region and exposed the UAE pearl traders to the international markets, Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, saidon Sunday.

“Pearl opened a world gateway to the people of the region as they dived in seas to catch it and went as far as India and Paris and other countries in the east and west of the world to promote pearl trade,” Al Owais in his opening address at the 4^th International Pearl Conference, at the Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi.

The five-day event, to be held under the theme “Pearls, Gems ‘&’ Jewellery,” was developed by the non-profit Pearl Revival Committee to encourage renewed interest in pearls in the Middle East. The conference is presented under the patronage of Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union and of the Family Development Foundation. “Pearl trade from the UAE contributed to the pre-oil prosperous economic life, making the UAE a financial centre in the region.

The pearl gateway started in Delma island in Abu Dhabi. Thanks to local businessman Saeed Al Madfa, the UAE pearl found its way to Paris market. Today the Pearl Revival Committee is trying to restore the glory and shine of pearl,” the minister said in the address read on his behalf by Bilal Al Bedour, Executive Director of the Ministry,

He called the Committee to issue simplified publications about the history of pearl trade and pioneer divers as part of efforts to pass the rich past of pearl profession to the present young generations. —