Swaziland Minister visits Israel to discuss cooperation in rough diamonds

Swaziland Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Mrs. Jabulile Mashwama visited Israel, as the leader of a delegation of COMESA, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, which she currently chairs. She was hosted by the Israeli Diamond Industry. Moti Ganz, Chairman of IDI, President of the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association and President of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association, welcomed the Minister and her delegation to the Israeli diamond center saying “It would be our pleasure to discuss cooperation in the area of rough diamonds”.

Swaziland diamond production is expected to resume later this year after a hiatus of many years, when a consortium of African and Australian investors opens a mine in the Dokolwayo region. The mine will run alluvial, open pit and underground operations. According to analyst Chaim Even-Zohar diamond production in Swaziland can reach 80,000 carats per year, and diamonds will be of a high quality.

Mrs. Mashwama visited the Israel Diamond Institute (IDI) headquarters, interacting with its leaders, and was given a presentation about the Israeli Diamond Industry by Chaim Even-Zohar. She also toured the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum.

The Minister was also inducted into the Israel Diamond Institute’s League of Honor, which was established to pay tribute to the heads of state and government ministers of diamond producing countries, who have acted to promote mutual cooperation between their nations and the Israeli Diamond Industry. Application for membership of the Kingdom of Swaziland in the Kimberley Process was initiated during 2010, under the chairmanship of Israel, and is awaiting official approval.