Diamond industry plans direct trade channel with Congo

By Our Staff Correspondent

MUMBAI, DEC. 9. The Indian diamond industry, is the for the first time, attempting to build a direct trade channel with the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the main diamond producing centres in the African continent. For years, India, the global leader in polishing and cutting of diamonds, has been importing rough diamonds mined in Africa from Belgium, Israel and other parts of Europe.

A nine member delegation led by Mr. Kaushik Mehta, former chairman of the Gem and Jewellery Export Council (GJEPC), has left for Congo. The delegation will meet Mr. Kabila, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo and will have talks with the President Director of the Societe Miniere de Bakwange (MIBA), Mr. Okato Lolakombe for submitting tenders to procure rough diamonds. The Indian delegation will visit the Bhuji mines, the main mining area of the Congo, to inspect rough diamonds and fill the tender.

According to Mr. Sanjay Kothari, chairman, GJEPC, ``Presently bulk of the rough diamond imports are coming from the open market in Antwerp (Belgium). Establishing a direct contact with the mining countries in the African continent will considerably enhance India's position in the International trade to emerge as an International Trading Centre from being the largest manufacturing centre.''

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