With India elected to chair the Kimberley Process starting January 2008, an Indian government delegation visited the Antwerp World Diamond Centre. The delegation members were Anu Sharma, Director of India’s Department of Commerce, V.K. Sharma, Sr. Technical Director of NIC and Kewal K. Duggal, Regional Director of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council.

Being in a position to chair the Process, India would supervise the implementation of the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), operations of the working groups and committees, and general administration of the Process. It would also chair the joint government, international diamond industry and civil society initiative, to set up a certification scheme for rough diamonds. The visiting Indian delegation was briefed on the industry self-regulation measures by members of the Antwerp diamond industry and bourses.