The Angola Diamond E-Conclave 2021 was organised on 1st July 2021 by the Angolan Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas-Republic and the New Jeweller International Media Group. The purpose of the virtual event was to promote diamond-related projects such as the Saurimo Diamond Hub as well as the proposed Angola Diamond Exchange, including potential mineral development projects seeking investments.
The E-Conclave was attended by over 366 industry members mainly from the diamond manufacturing, downstream and midstream segment.
Dr. Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, inaugurated the E-Conclave and delivered the keynote address that outlined opportunities to invest and trade from Angola. He also announced the Angola International Diamond Conference (AIDC) to be held in Saurimo at the end of 2021.
The first of two panel discussions included a mix of governmental agency heads and government-owned mining entities, such as Jacinto Rocha, Chairman & CEO, National Mineral Resources Agency, Canga Xiaquivuila, Chairman & CEO, Geological Institute of Angola (IGEO), Dr. Ganga Jose Jr, Chairman & CEO, Endiama EP, Eugenio Bravo De Rosa, Chairman & CEO, Sodiam EP.
The first panel delved into the opportunities presented by the Saurimo Diamond Hub and Angola Diamond Exchange, as well as the business-friendly policies of the Angolan Government and the tax subsidies that will be offered to investing companies. Other important points discussed were employment opportunities, percentage share for local consumption and export.
The second panel titled “Investors Speak” deliberated on critical issues pertaining to potential investors. The panel included Sahag Arslanian, Managing Director, Arslanian Group NV, Igor Prokhorenko, Chief Executive Officer, Grib Diamonds NV, Kalpesh Vaghani, Director, Kapu Gems, and Ammiel Macondecua, General Manager, Angola Polishing Diamonds (APD). The panel was moderated by Paulo Mvika, KP Office Coordinator for Angola, in the National Commission of Kimberley Process. The panel also took questions from the audience and spoke on a wide range of issues pertaining to Banking, Financing the Midstream, Taxation, Security and Credibility.