Ari Epstein, AWDC CEO stated, “We are very honoured to welcome President Komora. Sierra Leone is an important partner for the Antwerp diamond industry. In 2012, Antwerp imported 42% of Sierra Leone’s total diamond production, which translates to 45% of the total value of the country’s production. The average price per carat of a diamond mined in Sierra Leone amounted to $301,56 in 2012, which demonstrates the high quality of the country’s diamonds.”
Although Sierra Leone is a small diamond producer, its quality diamonds surpass this limitation. One such significant find in Sierra Leone is the ‘Star of Sierra Leone’ a 968,9 carat diamond considered the third largest rough diamond found to date. Harry Winston purchased it in 1972, for US$ 2,5 million.
President Ernest BaiKoroma visited the Antwerp diamond community touring the Diamond Office, HRD diamond lab and the Antwerp Diamond Tender Facility. This visit was part of the President’s 5-day official visit to the Benelux. President Koroma will also take part in the fourth EU-Africa summit on 2-3 April.
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