Penny requests co-existence with Africa

At the recently held Sixth Annual Meeting of the World Diamond Council (WDC), the gala dinner concluded with some interesting insights delivered by De Beers Managing Director Gareth Penny. He said “Diamantaires need to get behind the concept of a more prosperous Africa, one in which its people are working to lift themselves out of poverty. We should not underestimate the role our industry can play in achieving this”.

Penny’s speech was quite in sync with the mood of the meeting i.e. to completely eradicate the presence of conflict diamonds from the trade. This in turn would also benefit the miners and the workers, ensuring human beneficiation. "Greater transparency in the way diamonds are traded in Africa and the subsequent increase in government revenues are part of this increase in economic growth and improving governance," Penny said. "Our collective experience, gained largely through our involvement in the Kimberley Process, has taught us much. Above all, it has taught us that we all have a responsibility to ensure that we are not only aware of where our diamonds come from, but also to ensure, where we can, that the communities from where they came have a peaceful and stable existence, and experience lasting social and economic benefit from them—just as we would expect for ourselves."

In his report to the plenary session, WDC Chairman Eli Izhakoff said the trade in conflict diamonds has ceased almost entirely, but that the industry needs to continue its efforts to completely eradicate it. Penny congratulated the WDC attendees on those efforts, and urged the members of the private sector, whom he said have the greatest impact to help Africa achieve greater prosperity. "To begin with, however, we must establish a positive approach and not subscribe to the view that Africa is a lost cause. For example, the typical perception, here in the West, is that all Africans are either victims or villains. We do not believe this to be the case." "In 2007, African continental economic growth averaged nearly 6 percent, with the best performers closer to 7 percent," he said. "Compare that with the dismal economic performance in Africa in the '80s and '90s, when growth rarely exceeded 2 percent."

Penny also pointed out some steps for companies interested or presently undertaking business in Africa. He suggested the firms to form strong partnerships with the government, commitment at building a citizen-run organisation, developing skills at the managerial level and helping small citizen companies develop by outsourcing the supply chain to them.

The Meeting was hosted by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre with a participation of more than 100 delegates. The Meeting also celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.