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Luanda Accord: Bold new step for natural diamonds

Done deal: Minerals and Energy minister, Bogolo Kenewendo, joined other diamond industry players for the landmark agreement in Luanda, Angola
Done deal: Minerals and Energy minister, Bogolo Kenewendo, joined other diamond industry players for the landmark agreement in Luanda, Angola

Botswana and several other African diamond producing nations as well as companies and industry bodies, last week signed a landmark agreement to jointly market natural diamonds. Natural Diamond Council CEO, David Kellie, speaks to MBONGENI MGUNI on the historic deal

The natural diamond industry is mounting the largest marketing campaign in more than a decade.

Last year the industry agreed to reignite “category marketing” which involves diamond producers, retail jewellers and countries, linking up to promote natural diamonds. Natural diamond industry leaders acknowledge that over the decades, individual companies instead prioritised marketing their specific brands or products, a focus that left the industry open to synthetics and other non-diamond jewellery.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

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