Latest: Zim officials in Antwerp for diamonds deal

Lovemore Chikova in ANTWERP, Belgium

A high powered Zimbabwean delegation arrived in Antwerp, Belgium, this afternoon to tie the loose ends in a deal that will ensure the country’s diamonds are sold through the Antwerp World Diamond Council. The visit followed the one by AWDC officials to Zimbabwe two weeks ago.

The Zimbabwe delegation is led by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development Professor Francis Gudyanga and comprises officials from the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation.

The visit is a “giant step” towards the resumption of trade in local gems that had been stalled by the illegal sanctions regime imposed on the ZMDC and its subsidiaries by the EU at the instigation of Britain.

The sanctions were lifted after Belgium joined Zimbabwe in opposing them, leaving the EU with no choice, but to rescind its unreasonable decision and in so-doing broke London’s influence on the 27-member bloc.

AWDC is the world’s leading diamond trading hub based in Belgium and brings together nearly 2 000 buyers. The delegation will hold meetings with AWDC senior officials to map modalities of ensuring that the trade in the gems starts.