The Russian Ambassador spoke about cooperation between Russia and the Central African Republic in the diamond industry

Moscow is ready to promote the development of the CAR diamond industry both through technical assistance and in relation to certification institutions, Russian Ambassador to Bangui Alexander Bikantov told Izvestia. Earlier in November 2024, the Kimberley Process officially lifted all restrictions on diamond exports from the Central African Republic.

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"The lifting of restrictions opens up new opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the diamond industry. The Russian side expresses its readiness to provide Bangui with the necessary consulting and methodological support, primarily in matters of effective implementation of the KP certification scheme," Bikantov said.

The diplomat added that the country's authorities expect annual diamond production to increase at least three times, to 325,000 carats. Already in January 2025, a few months after the lifting of restrictions in the east of the Central African Republic, the largest diamond in the country's history weighing 177.95 carats was discovered, Bikantov said.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

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