Zimbabwe’s diamond sector set for huge boost through Indian companies

Zimbabwe’s diamond cutting and polishing sub-sector is set for a huge boost following a game-changing agreement with a leading global Indian concern, Hari Krishna Exports.

Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) chief executive, Dr Douglas Zimbango, announced the cooperation agreement that will see at least 50 Zimbabweans undergoing training by the Indian company.

Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga who is here for the Africa Conclave on India-Africa Partnership, which is organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry met chairman of the Indian concern and impressed on his hosts Zimbabwe’s need in the area of diamond value addition.

It also comes as President Mnangagwa has primed Government and the local industry to boost value addition in all areas of production as part of enablers towards rapid economic growth.

In separate presentations at leading diamond processing companies, ShreeRam Krishna Diamonds and Hari Krishna Exports, VP Chiwenga highlighted Zimbabwe’s potential as a hub for diamond production and urged Indian investors to explore opportunities in the country.

“We were particularly impressed by your investment in employee welfare, sustainability and community development. These values resonate deeply with our national vision,” said VP Chiwenga after touring ShreeRam Krishna Diamonds.

“As we enter a new era of economic openness, our Government is prioritising beneficiation and value addition. We believe that we should not only mine diamonds in Zimbabwe, but also transform them, thereby creating jobs, industries and opportunities for our people. Something, which I witnessed here.

“We see immense potential for partnership in this context. The expertise and experience of ShreeRam Krishna Diamonds could play a transformative role in assisting Zimbabwe in developing its own cutting and polishing capacity.

“We are eager to explore joint ventures, training programmes, and technology transfer initiatives that would enable us to learn from your success and adapt these strategies to our local context.

“We recognise opportunities for collaboration in certification, traceability, and ethical sourcing; areas in which ShreeRam Krishna Diamonds has set global standards. These aspects are critical as Zimbabwe positions itself as a responsible and competitive player in the international diamond market.

“We invite you to consider Zimbabwe not only as a source of raw materials, but as a strategic partner in building a sustainable and inclusive diamond value chain,” said VP Chiwenga.