The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, the apex body for India’s gem and jewellery trade has expressed its relief and happiness over the much awaited resolution taken at the ongoing KP Plenary in Kinshasa, to permit exports of rough diamonds from compliant mining operations of Marrange in Zimbabwe.

Commenting on the news Shri Rajiv Jain, Chairman GJEPC noted, “ I express my gratitude to the Chair of KP, Mr Mathieu Yamba and Chair of WGM, Mr Stephane Chardon, for their special efforts in resolving the issue and moving a proposal which achieved consensus at KP. This will not only stabilise the world diamond business by encouraging the traders to keep the illicit diamonds out of the system, but will also help millions of people of Zimbabwe to derive the fruits of their diamond wealth and create strong bonding with the workers on ground in India who eke out their living from cutting and polishing of diamonds.” He further added that “We always believed the resolution of the dispute was a core issue which was dividing the Kimberley Process and obstructing dialogue amongst its members.”

The Indian diamond industry stands strongly committed to the Kimberley process and the ongoing system of dialogue between different stakeholders of KP, viz, the Govermnents, the industry and the civil society coalition. GJEPC, being the apex body of the industry, has recently implemented a code of conduct for ethical business practices amongst all its members, of which compliance to Kimberley Process in keeping the conflict diamonds out of the system is one of its prime requisites.