The government of Zimbabwe has assumed responsibility for organizing the African nation’s first-ever international diamond conference, which is scheduled to be held on November 12 and 13.

According to a report in Rough & Polished, the Zimbabwean mines minister, Obert Mpofu, will play host at the conference, which was originally planned by the London-based firm Country Factor. The conference is expected to attract over 300 visitors from the diamond industry.

Troy Reuben, an executive at Country Factor, told Rough & Polished that he was surprised at the government’s decision to cancel the July conference.

“We were just told that the event has been canceled,” he said. “However, we respected the decision of the Zimbabwean government.”

Country Factor had invested considerable time and effort in attracting delegates and speakers to the event, only to be pushed aside as the date approached.