President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa today inaugurated the 9th ordinary meeting of the African Diamonds Producers Association (ADPA) at Elephant Hills, Victoria Falls.
The gathering marks a crucial juncture for African nations engaged in diamond production, as they seek to enhance the beneficiation and value addition processes within the rough diamond industry.
Under the theme “Special Forum: Intra-African Dialogue on Rough Diamond Beneficiation and Value Addition,” the meeting aims to foster collaboration among member countries to maximize the economic benefits derived from their diamond resources.
It emphasizes the importance of value addition initiatives to elevate Africa’s position in the global diamond market and ensure sustainable growth and development.
The choice of Victoria Falls as the venue underscores Zimbabwe’s significance as one of Africa’s prominent diamond producers. However, recent security concerns, including the reported bomb scare at Victoria Falls Airport, have drawn attention to the challenges faced by the region.
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Despite these incidents, Zimbabwe remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing its diamond sector and leveraging its natural resources for economic prosperity.
Nevertheless, the diamond mining sector in Zimbabwe, like many others across the continent, continues to grapple with the persistent issue of smuggling. This illicit activity undermines efforts to maximize revenue generation and deprives countries of much-needed resources for development.
Addressing this challenge requires collaborative efforts from governments, industry stakeholders, and international partners to implement robust regulatory measures and enhance surveillance mechanisms. Prsident Mnangagwa
As African nations gather to deliberate on strategies for promoting rough diamond beneficiation and value addition, it is imperative to confront the issue of smuggling head-on and ensure transparency and accountability within the industry.
The ADPA meeting provides a platform for African countries to share experiences, exchange knowledge, and develop common strategies to tackle these pressing issues.
