Namibia Looks to India for Diamond Value Addition, Skill Development and Investment
A high-level delegation from Namibia, visiting India as part of a benchmarking exercise, was welcomed by Mr. Mehul Shah, President - World Federation of Diamond Bourses, the Bharat Diamond Bourse team and the GJEPC team in Mumbai. Mr. Shah led the tour, including showcase of capabilities at IDTC for rough viewing and trading. The delegation, led by Ms. Gaudentia Krohne, Hon’ble Deputy Minister, Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, Namibia, discussed opportunities for strengthening India-Namibia cooperation across diamonds, jewellery manufacturing, skill development and investment.
Ms. Krohne said that their visit was aimed at understanding India’s highly developed diamond cutting and polishing ecosystem and learning from Indian companies about the processes, capabilities and infrastructure that have helped the country emerge as a global centre for diamond value addition.
Namibia, which is renowned for producing some of the world’s highest-value diamonds, is looking to translate a greater share of its mineral wealth into domestic economic growth pillar through skill development, manufacturing and investment.
Learning from India's Diamond Ecosystem
A key focus of the delegation’s visit is understanding how Indian companies operate across the diamond value chain, particularly cutting and polishing. Namibia possesses significant mineral resources but faces constraints in terms of skill, technical capacity and financial resources required to develop its downstream industry.
The delegation therefore sees India as an important partner in capacity building. One of the areas being explored is the possibility of sending Namibian workers to India for training, enabling them to acquire technical and manufacturing processes that can subsequently be applied within Namibia.
Ms. Krohne also expressed interest in understanding India’s diamond tendering mechanisms and how Namibian stakeholders could participate in or learn from these systems.
Namibia’s state-owned diamond company, Namdeb, plays a central role in the country’s diamond industry, while India has developed specialised trading and market infrastructure. The delegation noted that India’s institutional ecosystem, including the role of agencies such as the India Diamond Trading Centre, offers useful lessons for Namibia as it evaluates ways to strengthen its own diamond trade.
Sp Correspondent The New Jeweller Int’l Media Group
Recognition of India's Industry Support
The delegation also acknowledged the support extended by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and Bharat Diamond Bourse in facilitating industry engagement. India being the Chair of Kimberley Process provides value addition in leading the diamond producers’ next leg.
From Mineral Wealth to Value Creation
While Namibia is mineral-rich, the delegation stressed the need to create greater value within the country rather than relying primarily on the export of raw minerals. The country is therefore actively seeking Indian companies that can establish manufacturing operations in Namibia, create employment and help develop local capabilities. The proposed model is not simply about investment. The delegation is looking at a broader partnership in which Indian companies can bring capital, technology, managerial expertise and manufacturing know-how, while training Namibian employees who can eventually develop the local ecosystem.
The delegation said Indian companies establishing operations in Namibia would have the opportunity to contribute to employment generation while developing a long-term presence in an emerging market.
Namibia is looking for Indian companies willing to establish manufacturing operations, invest in local capabilities and participate in the development of the country’s jewellery and diamond ecosystem.
As Namibia seeks to unlock greater economic value from its mineral wealth, Indian diamond and jewellery companies could find themselves playing a significant role in helping build that next chapter.