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Mnangagwa to open diamond conference today

by Staff reporter
07 Apr 2022 at 06:37hrs | Views
THE extraordinary meeting of the Association of African Diamond Producing Countries (ADPA) and Council of Ministers will be officially opened by President Mnangagwa this morning.

The President, who will be accompanied by Vice-President Retired General Dr Constantino Chiwenga, is expected to arrive this morning.

Most delegates had arrived at the venue here yesterday and went for a boat cruise, which was part of the programme to allow participants time to sample local tourism activities in the country's tourism capital.

Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said all is set for the official opening session.

"The meeting has started and it is going to be opened by President Mnangagwa tomorrow (today)," he said in an interview yesterday.

"The committee of experts will draft a report, which will be tabled to the Council of Ministers to make decisions and release a communiqué on Friday at the Council of Ministers meeting."

ADPA has 18 member states and its headquarters are in Luanda, Angola.

Zimbabwe is the vice chair and will take over from Tanzania, the current chair.

At the same time, the country is also deputy of the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) and will this year take over chairmanship of the global diamond watchdog.

This is a laudable milestone in Zimbabwe's economic diplomacy thrust coming at a time when the diamond industry, alongside other precious minerals, are expected to contribute to transforming the economy in line with the targeted US$12 billion mining industry.

Today's proceedings will include a meeting of Zimbabwe diamond producers and a presentation of views of civil society on diamonds mining and trade in Africa.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo and Minister Chitando will give remarks before the President officially opens the conference.

DRC Minister of Mines Antoinette N'Samba and Tanzania Minister of Minerals Doto Biteko who is ADPA Chairperson will also speak at the official opening ceremony.

There will also be discussions and presentations by experts on various topics among them the various policies involved in diamond mining.

Source - The Chronicle