Story by Owen Mandovha, Business Reporter
Zimbabwe has assumed the chairmanship of the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme and got thumbs up at the just-ended KP meeting in Dubai for demonstrating leadership in managing world diamond affairs.
Zimbabwe assumed the chairmanship of the organisation for the year 2023 and held its first meeting of the year in Dubai last week which was chaired by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Honourable Winston Chitando.
Head of Public Affairs at the ANTWERP World Diamond Centre, Mr. Wim Soons tweeted just after the curtain came down on the meeting that they were impressed by Zimbabwe’s demonstrable leadership as chair given the country’s vast experience in resolving and managing diamond resources.
The sentiments shared by Mr Woons further harness its standing in world diamond affairs and also provide more access for local diamonds to the global market.
Following the discovery of more diamond reserves in the country over a decade and a half ago, Government has managed to organise the sector in an equitable and transparent manner that is benefiting local communities and the economy while at the same time preventing the flow of illegal diamonds to fund conflicts.
Zimbabwe has witnessed an increase in foreign capital inflows in the diamond sector including one by Russian diamond giant Alrosa which is conducting more exploration of diamond deposits.
The diamond sector is expected to contribute US$1 billion of the US$12 billion mining target set by Government, hence Zimbabwe’s leadership at the KPCS shores up its prospects to develop the local industry.
