A government delegation from Angola led by Mr Janio da Rosa Correa Victor, Secretary of State of Geology and Mines, Ministry of Mineral Resources and Petroleum, Republic of Angola had a frutiful interaction with representatives of the GJEPC led by Chairman Shri Pramod Agarwal and Vice Chairman Colin Shah during their visit to the GJEPC and BDB in Mumbai today.

The Angolan delegation also included Dr. Fernando Amaral, Administrador da Sodiam E.P. Comercialization of diamants, and Dr. Osvaldo Jorge, Administrador da Endiama E.P., as well as other senior government officials.

In a brief presentation to the visitors, the Council delegation stressed that India was not only the largest and most advanced centre for cutting and polishing diamonds, it was also now increasing the direct sourcing of rough from producing centres. They emphasised the role played by the IDTC-SNZ, where over 7 million carats of rough diamonds worth nearly US$ 1.5 billion had been displayed to nearly 500 Indian buyers by leading producers such as De Beers, ALROSA, Dominion, Rio Tinto and Okawango over almost 450 days of viewing.

India and Angola were both important participants in the KP scheme and the two countries have been working together on issues related to African mining countries, GJEPC said. The country was also taking a lead in detection of synthetic diamonds, and in generic promotions aimed at strengthening the image of the industry as a clean and transparent one.

The Council also sugggested that Angola should consider direct supply of rough diamonds to India; display their rough at the IDTC–SNZ which would help in better price discovery; develop a system of long term contracts with Indian diamantaires; and open a sales office in the BDB. The Angolan delegation assured the GJEPC that they would consider all these suggestions on their return.

Yesterday, the Angolan delegation also met the Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Coal & Mines, Shri Haribhai Chaudhary and other officials from the Ministry of Commerce while in Delhi.

Earlier they had a fruitful interaction with Shri Raj Kamal, Director, Department of Commerce, discussing the current status of the diamond industry, the Kimberley Process, direct sourcing of rough diamonds from Angola and their participation at IDTC- SNZ for display of  roughs for Indian diamantaires. Later, they visited IIGJ- New Delhi and IGI- GTL.

Pic caption: The Angolan delegation with the GJEPC representatives