Government

The focus on the diamond-producing regions of Africa that was brought about by the Kimberley Process did more than just create a mechanism to prevent the infiltration of conflict diamonds into the pipeline; it also helped deepen the appreciation that diamonds and the diamond industry are essential ingredients to the well-being of ordinary people living in those areas, Avi Paz, President of the World Diamond Council, told the Plenary Session of the Kimberley Process in Johannesburg towards the end of the year.

The Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has created a committee to propose steps for the country's diamond industry due to the difficulty created by the decline of the rupee against the US dollar in recent months.
 
The currency has dropped by more than 15 percent against the dollar since May. It is trading at around 63 to the dollar, having previously fallen to around 69 to the American dollar.
 

Partnership Africa Canada has published A Guide to the Kimberley Process, the international initiative to eliminate conflict diamonds from the rough diamond trade.
 
The guide was produced by the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition, civil society organizations working on the issue of conflict diamonds.
 

The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) has praised the lifting of restrictive measures on the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) by the European Union.
 
Imports of rough diamonds from the ZMDC into the EU are permitted as of September 25. In addition, the revised status means that imports from other companies linked to the ZMDC are also allowed. These include: Marange Resources, Canadile, Mbada, Kimberworth Investments and Diamond Mining Corporation (DMC).
 

The Bank of Namibia said diamond output in 2013 is likely to show a slight fall to 1.64 million carats from 1.67 million carats in 2012.
 
Mining is critical to the country's economy, and is likely to show a slowdown, the central bank said. Namibia is the fifth-biggest diamond producer in the world.
 
Overall mining output will decrease by 0.9 percent in 2013 from 12 percent in 2012 “owing to developments in diamond and uranium production,” the bank said.
 

The Belgian authorities report progress in the investigation into a tiger kidnapping that happened in the city last October 11. It appears that it may not have been quite what it seemed with the investigation seeming to indicate that the crime was staged by the alleged victim. 
 

Almost five years after the world’s worst financial crisis for three generations, the repercussions are still being felt in the European market, says diamantaires. One of the wealthiest continents in the world with a potential market of around 350 million people, Europe remains stuck in the doldrums.

Jewelers of America Political Action Committee (JAPAC) paid a visit to Washington, D.C. with a group of jewelers. It was the third time that JAPAC has led a delegation of retailers to the Capitol to express their views on prime legislative issues that affect the industry.
 

The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) has joined the United Nations Research Institute on Crime and Justice (UNICRI) to develop a mechanism to certify and track colored gemstones from their countries of origin. The initiative is being held with the assistance of the Vienna International Justice Institute (VIJI).

The initiative was presented in a meeting on April 9 and 10 at the UNICRI headquarter in Turin where selected stakeholders were invited for initial consultations.

Angola, the world's fifth-biggest diamond producer by value, will take all steps needed to protect an endangered antelope species, which serves as a national symbol, from the effects of diamond mining in a nature reserve, said state-owned company Endiama EP.

Endiama is considering moving the Capunda diamond concession it granted to KCC Lda., Yango Lda. and AM&BC Lda. in the Luando reserve, 400 kilometers southeast of Luanda, the capital, Endiama spokesman Antonio Freitas told the Bloomberg news wire service.