GJEPC hosted a high-level media interaction at the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB), featuring a visiting Namibian delegation led by Hon’ble Gaudentia Kröhne, Deputy Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Namibia.

During the session, the Hon’ble Deputy Minister highlighted Namibia’s vision to cultivate a close, multi-faceted partnership with India, focusing on skill transfer, technical training, and capacity building within the diamond cutting and polishing industry.

Key Takeaways & Strategic Objectives

• Skill Transfer & Training: Deepening collaboration with India to leverage its world-class expertise in diamond cutting, polishing, and value addition.
• Investment Opportunities: Extending an invitation to Indian jewelry manufacturers to establish local operations and manufacturing facilities in Namibia.
• Ease of Doing Business: Implementing single-window “One-Stop Centres” designed to streamline business operations, company registrations, and visa processing for international investors.

• Legislative Reforms: Preparing for the upcoming passage of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Bill, which will serve as a key economic catalyst across multiple industrial sectors.

Strengthening Bilateral Trade

This strategic dialogue underscores Namibia’s push toward downstream industrial expansion and mineral beneficiation. By leveraging India’s global leadership in diamond processing, Namibia aims to create high-value local employment while offering Indian manufacturers robust growth opportunities backed by modernized governance and infrastructure.

Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said:

“Namibia produces the world’s highest-value rough diamonds, while India cuts and polishes 14 out of every 15 diamonds globally. With the proposed 15-year tax exemption for Special Notified Zones, India can now offer producer nations not just manufacturing, but a global trading hub. We look forward to building a lasting partnership with Namibia.”

Anoop Mehta, Convener – Diamond Panel, GJEPC, said:

“We have invited Namibia to bring its rough diamonds to India and utilise the new tax framework for trading through the Special Notified Zones. This will give Indian MSMEs more direct access to high-quality rough diamonds without the need to travel overseas. We are exploring this opportunity closely and, if the discussions progress, we would be happy to work towards an MoU with Namibia. We are very positive that, with this new policy, a greater share of Namibia’s diamond trade can come directly to India.”

Highlighting the quality of Namibia’s production, Ms. Gaudentia Krohne, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy said:

“Namibia is having the best quality of diamonds in the world. We do not have the quantity, but we have the best quality. That’s why I am really proud to come from Namibia and talk about the Namibian diamonds in India.”

The delegation also saw a potential role for India’s diamond trading infrastructure in bringing Namibian roughs closer to Indian buyers. “We can bring our diamonds here, showcase them here and even sell them. If this platform created by India is already being used by other countries, why can Namibia not make use of it too?” Ms. Krohne added.