Luanda: The chairman of the Rapaport Group, Martim Rapaport, has called for the creation of a diamond identification system in Angola to enhance the control and sale of the product. The announcement was made during a meeting in Luanda aimed at analyzing the state of the diamond industry and future perspectives, promoted by Endiama.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Rapaport emphasized the need for the Angolan state to leverage technology to implement an identification system that records a diamond's history, photo, origin, and destination. This system would facilitate tracking where the diamonds are sold and their final destinations. He suggested that creating an Angolan brand in the diamond sector could improve publicity and ensure social responsibility, considering the social and political impact of diamond exploitation on local communities.
Rapaport further noted the importance of focusing on marketing and product quality to attract buyers, stressing the necessity of adding value to diamonds by auctioning rough products and selling cut ones. He applauded the initiative to hold the meeting, which he believed reinforced Angola's commitment to transforming its diamond sector and attracting investments across the entire diamond value chain.
The event was attended by the Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, and other representatives from the diamond sector. Discussions included other markets and opportunities, as well as promoting and valuing Angolan diamonds on the international stage, with a keen focus on transparency, ethics, and competitive positioning.
Rapaport, known globally for the Rapaport Price List and the RapNet trading platform, is a prominent figure in the diamond industry, advocating responsible business practices. During the closing ceremony, Minister Diamantino de Azevedo urged companies to participate in establishing cutting factories in Angola to boost employment opportunities.
He also reminded companies of their obligations toward communities in their operational areas, advocating for the development of agri-livestock projects, entrepreneurship, education, and technical-vocational training. Additionally, he reiterated his commitment to promoting semi-industrial mining and addressing environmental concerns.
