Alex Popov speaks at Second Zimbabwe Diamond Conference

Alex Popov, Chairman of the World Diamond Mark Foundation (WDMF) proposed to participants of the Second Zimbabwe Diamond Conference that the WDMF could play a big part in bringing African diamonds and the message of their economic beneficiation to diamond jewelry consumers as part of its generic diamond promotion campaigns.

Referring to the theme of the November 6-7 conference - 'Completing Zimbabwe's Diamond Potential for the Future' -Popov spoke about how the World Diamond Mark Foundation's programmes could help bring African sourced diamonds more effectively to the end consumer market. This would make the story of their economic beneficiation to African diamond producing nations an integral part of its generic diamond promotion campaigns. "There is so much we can do to help you market your diamonds and we stand ready to assist," Popov stated.

Popov concluded his address with an invitation to the African diamond producing nations to attend the World Diamond Conference in India (WDCI) in Delhi in December. "All players in the diamond industry supply pipeline need to come together to help restore and regain the market share that has been lost to other luxury market products," he said.

The WDMF Chair reported that he had met with Zimbabwe's minister Chidakwa and South Africa's Minister of Mineral Resources, Ngoako Ramatlhodi, and invited them to take part in the WDCI. Both ministers indicated that they would consider this invitation favorably, Popov says.

The conference was attended by African mining ministers, as well as many international diamond industry leaders. The event was hosted by Zimbabwe's Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Walter K. Chidakwa, who addressed the conference on behalf of the Zimbabwean government. The conference was officially opened by President Robert Mugabe .