Work begins next month on Dubai's Dhs100 million Gold and Diamond Park. The facility, made up of 750 separate manufacturing units and covering 600,000 square feet, was commissioned by General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. It will be built by Emaar Properties on land donated by him. At the moment, Dubai does not have that many jewellery manufacturers, compared with Sharjah and Ajman, but that will change. But that is simply bullion.
Jewellery is a separate thing.
Renjith refused to make predictions on the amount of trade or jobs the new facility will generate, but insisted it will be significant. The park is due to be completed within 12 months. But Dr Hamdan Al Shamsi, director of operator Naif Marine Services, said he was confident the service would prove profitable in the long term. We also expect religious visitors - Shiite Muslims who want to see the holy places in Iraq. But at the moment, people are still wary.