Creates full transparency and allows Sierra Leone to export diamonds again

Antwerp, 27 October 2000 — The Belgian Minister of Economic Affairs presented today together with the HRD the new control system for diamond trade between Sierra Leone and Belgium. The system guarantees complete transparency of the diamond trade between Sierra Leone and Belgium. The implementation of the new system allows the legitimate government to export diamonds again. It can be used as a model for an international certification scheme, applicable to other diamond exporting and importing countries.

Mr. Charles PIQUE, Belgian Minister of Economic Affairs and Peter MEEUS, Managing Director of the Diamond High Council (HRD) today presented the new control system that applies for diamond trade with Sierra Leone.

It is the result of several missions to Freetown, the first contact going back to 07.04.00. The HRD supplied the government of Sierra Leone with the necessary equipment and technical know-how to set up the structures in Freetown. The Ministry if Economic Affairs implemented the system within the Belgian legal framework of diamond trade.

The system contains two essential and unique innovations:

• The goods are sealed with an unforgeable Certificate of Origin, containing a security slip that is sealed on the box and an Import Confirmation Certificate that is returned to the exporting country after verification by Customs.
• Detailed information of the goods, accompanied with digital photo’s are electronically exchanged between the two Custom authorities, prior to shipment.

This creates complete transparency of the trade between the two countries and makes falsifications impossible. Export and import figures must balance.

The system was developed in accordance with UNSC Resolution 1306 (2000), imposing an embargo on the imports of Sierra Leone diamonds without an appropriate certification scheme. The UN Security Council approved the new control system on 06.10.00. Implementation of it allows the legitimate government of Sierra Leone to export diamonds again. Revenues from the diamond trade can than be used in favour of the population and will reinforce the legitimate government.

The system as it is in place in Sierra Leone can be used as a model for an international certification scheme, applicable to other diamond exporting and importing countries. This will make smuggling through third countries impossible.

The HRD always insisted on developing immediate applicable measures that contribute directly to end the conflicts. Belgian government and industry hope this initiative will boost the process of developing an international certification scheme and minimum control standards.