Rapaport Proposes Sierra Leone Diamond Reform

RAPAPORT?EUR?PRESSRELEASE, April 17, 2019, New York ...?EUR?The Rapaport Trade Mission to Sierra Leoneattracted a strong group of 29 international diamantaires and jewelers. Participants were from theUS, India, UAE, UK, Switzerland, Turkey, Canada, Spain, and Israel. For many,the trip was transformative as they visited the diggers in their villages andcame face to face with the challenges and opportunities confronting theartisanal digger communities. Two dayswere spent up-country in Kono, where the group met with the paramount chiefs,visited diggers and digging sites, and had dinner with 50 members of the KonoDistrict Miners Union. A highlight of the trip was the visit to Koryardu, thevillage where the Peace Diamond was discovered. A new medical center, school,and road are being constructed. For the first time, clean water, sanitation,and electricity will be provided. The group had lunch with the Alluvial Diamondand Gold Miners Association and members of the local Lebanese community. The lastday of the mission featured a Development Diamond Conference in Freetown withpresentations by the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Dr. Morie Manyeh, and theMinister of Trade and Industry, Peter Conteh, as well as an evening receptionat the home of US Ambassador Maria E. Brewer. Duringthe visit, Martin Rapaport, Chairman of the Rapaport Group, presented aproposal to the government of Sierra Leone, providing a systematic andsustainable business model that will optimize the benefit of Sierra Leone'salluvial diamonds for the diggers, their communities, and the government. Clickhere for the proposal. "Thediamond diggers of Sierra Leone are as much a part of our industry as theleading jewelers. This mission created new channels of communication andunderstanding as it recognized the responsibility our trade has to the lessfortunate artisanal community. We believe in and are committed to creatingopportunities for sustainable economic development that will transform thelives of hundreds of thousands of people in Sierra Leone. We thank all thosethat joined us on this mission," said Martin Rapaport. Media Contacts: Media@Rapaport.Com US: Sherri Hendricks +1-702-893-9400Global: Avital Engelberg +1-718-521-4976?EUR? About the Rapaport Group: TheRapaport Group is a global provider of added-value services that support thedevelopment of ethical, transparent, competitive and efficient diamond andjewelry markets. Established in 1978, the Rapaport Price List is the primarysource of diamond price and market information. Group activities includeRapaport Information and Research Services, Rapaport Magazine, and theDiamonds.net portal; RapNet,the world's largest diamond trading network; RapLab diamond grading services;and Rapaport Trading and Auction Services, specializing in recycled diamondsand jewelry. The Group supports over 20,000 clients in 121 countries and hasoffices in New York, Las Vegas, Antwerp, Ramat Gan, Mumbai, Surat and HongKong. Additional information is available at www.diamonds.net.Image: Participants in the trade mission meeting locals in Freetown, Sierra Leone. (Rapaport News)