Company Announcement - Ministers and officials from Africa will play a crucial part in discussions to be held at this year’s Dubai Diamond Conference. The biennial event, Organized by the Dubai Diamond Exchange and the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, will also bring together delegates and keynote speakers from the Middle East and Asia, heads of global diamond industry organizations, retail organizations, and civil society groups.

Mr. 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; Mr. Martin Kabwelulu Labilo, Minister of Mining of the Democratic Republic of Congo; and Mr Walter K. Chidakwa, Minister of Mines and Mining Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe will all take part in the conference. In addition, Mr. Bernardo Campos, from Angola, Chair of the Kimberley Process, will also attend.

Mr.  Ramatlhodi said: “Dubai has seen remarkable growth in the past ten years, particularly within the diamond industry. Located at the centre of the New Silk Route, it is certainly the ideal destination for an international diamond conference and I am delighted to attend the second Dubai Diamond Conference on behalf of the Republic of South Africa. 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.”

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.”

Hundreds of participants are expected to attend the conference, and to take part in a series of panel discussions. Key among them will be ‘Africa First’, which 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.