News / National
Zimbabwe criticise World Diamond Council meeting agenda
12 Apr 2011 at 06:15hrs | Views
Stakeholders in the Zimbabwe's economy have criticised western nations for putting Zimbabwe's diamond industry up for discussion at the World Diamond Council meeting in Dubai, saying it shows the west's hypocrisy as the Kimberly Process (KP) has fully certified the exportation of the country's diamonds.
As stakeholders in the diamond industry converge in Dubai this Monday for the World Diamond Council meeting, which runs to the 14th of this month, information filtering in shows that the country's diamond industry will come under the spotlight, a move which local stakeholders have heavily criticised.
Travel and Tourism Executive, Mr Abicia Ushewekunze said this is not the first time that western nations have attempted to scuttle the sale of the Chiadzwa diamonds, adding that the same nations that imposed illegal sanctions on the country and the ones expected to agitate against Zimbabwe's gems in Dubai.
"It is not a new phenomenon for Zimbabwe as western nations have imposed sanctions on the country and they have realised that the trading in diamonds is the way out for the country on the embargo hence their continued efforts to block the exportation of precious gems," Mr Ushewekunze said.
Zanu-PF politician, Joel Biggie Matiza said the trading of diamonds is no longer an issue but has been politicised by western nations which are opposing the KP's granting of permission for the exportation of the country's diamonds.
"The trading in diamonds by Zimbabwe has been heavily politicised as non-producing nations are against this development. This shows the west's hypocrisy as they have been crying for Zimbabwe to be granted the green light to trade in diamonds, but after the certification, they are still complaining," Matiza said.
Since the discovery of diamonds in Marange, western nations have been against the certification of the gems.
Zimbabwe made its inaugural diamond auction in August last year after the KP Monitor, Abbey Chikane certified the country's diamonds.
Despite this, there have been renewed efforts to block the sale of Zimbabwe's gems.
As stakeholders in the diamond industry converge in Dubai this Monday for the World Diamond Council meeting, which runs to the 14th of this month, information filtering in shows that the country's diamond industry will come under the spotlight, a move which local stakeholders have heavily criticised.
Travel and Tourism Executive, Mr Abicia Ushewekunze said this is not the first time that western nations have attempted to scuttle the sale of the Chiadzwa diamonds, adding that the same nations that imposed illegal sanctions on the country and the ones expected to agitate against Zimbabwe's gems in Dubai.
"It is not a new phenomenon for Zimbabwe as western nations have imposed sanctions on the country and they have realised that the trading in diamonds is the way out for the country on the embargo hence their continued efforts to block the exportation of precious gems," Mr Ushewekunze said.
Zanu-PF politician, Joel Biggie Matiza said the trading of diamonds is no longer an issue but has been politicised by western nations which are opposing the KP's granting of permission for the exportation of the country's diamonds.
"The trading in diamonds by Zimbabwe has been heavily politicised as non-producing nations are against this development. This shows the west's hypocrisy as they have been crying for Zimbabwe to be granted the green light to trade in diamonds, but after the certification, they are still complaining," Matiza said.
Since the discovery of diamonds in Marange, western nations have been against the certification of the gems.
Zimbabwe made its inaugural diamond auction in August last year after the KP Monitor, Abbey Chikane certified the country's diamonds.
Despite this, there have been renewed efforts to block the sale of Zimbabwe's gems.
Source - Byo24News
