South African president Jacob Zuma has called on diamond firms to consider expanding their operations into the country.
During a speech at a dinner organised by the Antwerp World Diamond Center, Mr Zuma outlined the benefits of South Africa as an investment destination.

"Despite considerable diversification of our economy in the recent past, the mining sector remains a key variable in our economic growth equation," he told attendees, adding mining in South Africa has been "the foundation of economic development" in the country for over half a century.

The president pointed to the recent success of the 2010 Fifa World Cup held by the nation, stating it shows South Africa is able to "deliver on its undertakings".

And he noted there may be long-term benefits for diamond companies that choose South Africa, as estimates indicate its mineral resources can be exploited for at least another century.

Also speaking at the event was president of the AWDC Nishit Parikh, who noted Antwerp and South Africa share an annual bilateral diamond trade volume valued at over £600 million.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Tags: African Diamond, Antwerp, Awdc, Diamond Center, Diamond Companies, Diamond Industry, Diamond Investment, Diamond Trade, Diversification, Fifa World Cup, Half A Century, Investment Destination, Jacob Zuma, Mineral Resources, Parikh, Quot, South African President, Trade Volume, Undertakings, Zuma

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 29th, 2010 at 6:24 pm and is filed under Diamond Jewellery, Diamond News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.