Prompted to finding a solution after the stalemate at Kimberley Process Plenary Meeting in November, in which no agreement was generated over rough diamond exports from Zimbabwe’s Marange region, the Antwerp World Diamond Centre has organised a high-level fact-finding mission to visit Zimbabwe inter alia to explore how Antwerp could contribute to a sustainable working arrangement between Zimbabwe and the Kimberley Process.

AWDC believes Antwerp’s special expertise, infrastructure and policy guidelines could contribute to solutions. The mission is being undertaken in full compliance with current EU restrictive measures on Zimbabwe. The goal of this mission is to facilitate the resumption of all diamond exports from Zimbabwe in full compliance with all relevant international guidelines. It comprises of a multi-disciplinary team of experts, members of the AWDC board of directors, diamantaires, insurance, shipping and technology specialists, bankers and other experts.

A solution would be an impetus to establishing a new partnership between the two countries (a major new diamond producer and a leading diamond trading centre), encouraging steady and transparent flow of revenue, and economic and social wellbeing of the country’s citizens.

Antwerp is a standard bearer for Kimberley Process compliance and good governance in the international diamond business. Its daily trade averages U.S. $200 million, and a yearly turnover of U.S. $45 billion. Antwerp issues more than 33,000 Kimberley Process certificates on a yearly worldwide total of 55,000.