Indian minister to make a trip to Africa

The Indian minister for state for commerce, Jairam Ramesh has proposed to make a trip to Africa and evaluate the possibilities to establish partnerships with the diamond producing countries, for diamond manufacturing and training. The minister will visit Africa in March with a high-level trade delegation and visit major diamond-producing nations, as reported by the Economic Times. The visit includes one to Namibia, South Africa, Botswana and Angola.

On its behalf, as Ramesh mentioned, India would assist its African partners with training in diamond cutting and polishing and technical assistance to set up local units in those countries which supply India with rough diamonds.