Brussels is not a sincere trading partner

It all started as a sincere and symbiotic relationship between Harare and Brussels with the later lobbying for the lifting of illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe. The move resulted in the lifting of sanctions on the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC).

But some of us had since seen through Belgium's real interests in the lobbying of the sanctions lifting. The move was chiefly motivated by the lust for our diamonds. Belgium went on to court Zimbabwe to sell its gems at the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) in that country. Unfortunately that move has proved costly.

In a week, some vultures are falling over each other to seize our diamonds that were on auction at AWDC.

Firstly it was South Africa's Amari Platinum which is suing Zimbabwe for $500m at the International Court of Arbitration in Paris, France. It tried to have Zimbabwe's diamonds worth $45m attached. It failed after Zimbabwe successfully argued its case.  As if that's not enough, a group of 12 former white commercial farmers decided to give it a trial riding on the dubious $54 compensation it was awarded in 2009 by the US based International Centre for Settlement of Investment.

All this drama is unfolding while the Belgium authority is folding its arms. One would expect that the Dutch authority would intervene to rescue a trading partner that it invited. Belgium has the moral right to do so because the companies that are trading their diamonds are not liable to government debt. Government only has some shares through ZMDC.

In any case, it is not the Amari or the 12 farmers that determine how Zimbabwe should use its money. Leaving such developments to develop without restraint only serve to tarnish the worthiness of Belgium as a trading partner. Other countries are watching and only fools will in future take its treasures to such a risky market.

In Zimbabwe, despite how much the US loathes us, we make sure that they are safe from the so-called terrorists attack while they are in this country. The US and other western embassies know that they are very safe in Zimbabwe, both politically and economically. This we do chiefly to preserve our country as a safe market and as a safe business destination. In the same vein, Belgium should protect its trading partners.
What happened exonerates Dr Robert Mhlanga, Chairman of Mbada Diamonds. From the onset, he expressed reservations on the sale of diamonds to EU countries.

At least Zimbabwe has learnt the hard way that these people are not to trust. It should have sent early warnings to Zimbabwe the first time Belgium complained after the former took its gems to Dubai and Shanghai. Zimbabwe wanted to ascertain the value of its diamonds by using various markets. Belgium knows that Zimbabwe is either heading east or is planning to sell the gems in the country.

Our diamonds should be sold locally. There are a whole lot of advantages in selling the diamonds in the country. Zimbabwe will save a fortune by selling diamonds internally. A lot is spent in travel and accommodation expenses for a team that accompanies our gems to AWDC and other foreign centres.

If the auction is held locally, other sectors of the economy will also benefit. The buyers will inject the much needed cash in hotels, retail shops, tourism sector, transport sector and many other downstream sectors.

There will not be any costs accrued through the transfer of cash in the banks. The stories of money being seized will a thing of the past.

It is high time that serious buyers come to us to buy our diamonds. After all, it is the bird that goes to a fruit tree not vice versa.