The Israeli Diamond Industry (IDI) hosted Swaziland’s minister of commerce Jabulile Mashwama during her visit to its headquarters on April 28.

Mashwama visited the Israeli diamond centre in her role as the leader of a delegation of African trade organisation Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which she currently chairs. She was given a presentation about the IDI by analyst Chaim Even-Zohar, and took part in a discussion about the opportunities for rough trade between the two countries. She also toured the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum.

Swaziland’s diamond production is expected to resume later this year, after a long hiatus, when a consortium of African and Australian investors opens a mine in the Dokolwayo region. The mine will run alluvial, open pit and underground operations.

Moti Ganz, chairman of IDI, president of the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association, welcomed the minister and her delegation to the Israeli diamond centre. He said: “We are very pleased to welcome you here today and it would be our pleasure to discuss cooperation in the area of rough diamonds.”

During the visit Mashwama was also inducted into the IDI’s League of Honor, which was established to pay tribute to the heads of state and government ministers of diamond producing countries, who have acted to promote mutual cooperation between their nations and the Israeli diamond industry.

Application for membership of the Kingdom of Swaziland in the Kimberley Process was initiated during 2010, under the chairmanship of Israel, and is awaiting official approval.