The conference, which starts today, will be attended by representatives of more than 99 percent of the world's rough diamond producers which include the leaders of the five largest world producers by value. Kedikilwe is among the 40 speakers who are expected the take part in this conference. The two day conference, according to Israel Diamond Institute (IDI) chairman, Moti Ganz, takes place at a crucial time in the rough diamond supply chain and it will address key issues such as cooperation between rough diamond manufacturers and traders. Ganz also said: "The session will deal with rough supply and demand forecasts, new sources of rough diamond supply and downstream aspirations of producer countries".
A vital issue, which Kedikilwe will be speaking on, is the beneficiation programmes in Africa. The minister says he will assure the world that the establishment of Diamond Trading Company in Botswana does not pose any threat to the diamond industry. Kedikilwe said hopes that no one will try to block the establishment of DTC Botswana and "no one should be afraid". "We have been in the diamond industry for a very long time," he said, adding that what they are doing is to make sure that Batswana also benefit from the rough diamonds. The minister said people should not be afraid of what "we are doing because what we want is mutual respect as partners in the development of the industry". Last year there were media reports that Belgium is on an intense campaign of blocking the establishment of DTC in Botswana, but nothing has since come out of those allegations.
