De Beers and Botswana Government Minister Meet with GJEPC in India to Strengthen Trade Relations

According to the GJEPC on April 18, a group from De Beers Group and and the Republic of Botswana’s minister of minerals and energy Lefoko Maxwell Moagi visited the Bharat Diamond Bourse in Mumbai. The delegation met with members of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council to discuss strengthening diamond trade ties with India. Desipite recent ongoing negotitations between the mining giant and the Botswana government regarding the renewal of their decades-long collaboration, this public display of solidarity was quite noteworthy, potentially indicating some headway on the matter. 

De Beers Group's CEO Al Cook, co-chairman Bruce Cleaver, and senior vice president of corporate affairs Feriel Zerouki met with a group of GJEPC leadership to discuss mutual cooperation and development on Tuesday, the GJEPC reported on its website. Increased ties between the groups will further strengthen India’s diamond industry.

“I would request De Beers to enhance the contribution for generic promotion of diamonds and diamond jewellery in this challenging geopolitical scenario till things achieve normalcy,” said GJEPC chairman Vipul Shah, the GJEPC reported. “We look forward to a productive and inspiring discussion about the future of the diamond industry. I hope that this visit marks the beginning of a new era of collaboration and success for our industry.”

“One of the goals that we wanted to achieve, from the perspective of diamonds, is that most governments all over the world look at diamonds not only through a loupe but a microscope,” said Bharat Diamond Bourse president Anoop Mehta. “And the Indian government and authorities who legislate would also do the same. However, in these last 10 years, we’ve been able to change that perception a bit. About a month ago, we were chosen to host the delegates of the G20 by the Government to showcase the sector’s achievements.”

Source: GJEPC