SADC to tour Zimbabwe Diamond Centre

SADC diamond executives are expected in the country this week for a tour of the Zimbabwe Diamond Centre with a view to identify areas of possible cooperation.

The visit by members of the SADC trading bloc in the diamond industry is coming at a time when the construction of the diamond auction floor is complete while final touches are being put on some of the infrastructure.

Speaking to ZBC at the diamond centre, Zimbabwe Diamond Technology Centre chairman, Mr Lovemore Kurotwi said diamond executives will be in Harare this week, which will give an opportunity to engage for possible cooperation as a region.

"We have diamond centres executives from the SADC region coming to Zimbabwe this week for the tour of the diamond centre and this offers an opportunity to discuss various initiatives that the bloc can integrate on. This will also come as an endorsement of the infrastructure which has not been available in the country," he said.

The SADC region is one of the most endowed blocs with diamonds though Zimbabwe is believed to be having 30 percent of the world precious stones' deposits.

Other leading SADC countries involved in diamond trade are Botswana, Angola and South Africa, which have been in the industry for many years.