A number of ministers and officials from different countries in Africa will be making presentations and participating in panel discussions at the Dubai Diamond Conference which is being held in Dubai on April 21-22, 2015. The country will be one of the key focus areas of the two-day event.

The speakers include Ngoako Ramatlhodi, Minister of Mineral Resources of the Republic of South Africa; Dr. Francisco Queiroz, Minister of Geology and Mines of the Republic of Angola; Martin Kabwelulu Labilo, Minister of Mining of the Democratic Republic of Congo; and Walter K. Chidakwa, Minister of Mines and Mining Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Bernardo Campos, from Angola, Chair of the Kimberley Process, besides others.

The South African minsiter, Mr.  Ramatlhodi said: “Dubai has seen remarkable growth in the past ten years, particularly within the diamond industry. I look forward to the range of debates and panel discussions that are in store, as well as identifying more ways in which South Africa and the UAE can strengthen their trading ties.”

Further, a panel discussion entitled ‘Africa First’, will feature Kennedy Hamutenya, Diamond Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia; Prof. Francis Pedzana Gudyanga, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe; Paulo M’Vika, Chairman of the Working Group of Artisanal and Alluvial Producers; Jacob Thamage, Coordinator Diamond Hub of Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Botswana; Ola Bello, Head of GARP of the South African Institute of International Affairs.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC, said: "We named our conference the New Silk Route to underscore the importance of the modern diamond trade from Africa to Asia and beyond, all via the DMCC’s vibrant hub in Dubai. This event will bring together industry leaders from all parts of the diamond supply chain to discuss issues that will take this industry forward to the next level.”