TANZANIA’s delegation to Thailand, led by Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals Msafiri Mbibo, has learned how to run the International Jewellery Auctions from Bonas Group of Belgium which has 150 years of experience in the operations.
Mr Mbibo said that the aim of participating in the auction was to learn how the company conducts international auctions productively as a result of the implementation of the ministry’s priorities for the 2023/2024 financial year.
“Among our priorities for this financial year is to encourage mining value-addition activities, investment and trade in the mining sector, the establishment of auctions and gem mining exhibitions,” he said.
“We have learned how this company conducts international auctions where we have seen buyers from all over the world come to check and buy raw, cut and polished minerals from various countries around the world that produce gems of which Tanzania is among them,” he added.
He said the ministry has experienced how to run Gem International Auctions and said that it was the right time for them to do so as they are preparing to re-establish the Arusha Gem and Jewellery Fair.
Mbibo said that the delegation also had the opportunity to learn the entire chain of value-addition activities in gem extraction and its products from small, medium and large industries.
“We had the opportunity to learn a variety of things including the types of technologies used to burn gems to increase quality, how to seek commercial opportunities, to invest and to strengthen cooperation in various fields,” he said.
He also called on traders and miners with precious gemstones to prepare to participate in the auctions, which will bring them together with major customers from all around the world.
For his part, the Bonus Group Chief Executive Philip Hoymans said that they are helping gem manufacturing countries and gem mining companies to promote their markets, increase their gem value and competition through mining auctions bids.
“This auction puts the jewellery business in a global shape including finding buyers through tender procedures, today we are continuing with the Brazilian Belmont Emeralds bid, our company has been in this business for 150 years now and it is a pleasure for us to welcome the Tanzanian delegation to see and learn,” he said.
Tanzania’s delegation also met with President of the Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association (TGJTA) Somchai Phornchindarak and other senior association’s leaders.
Speaking after the session, the Government’s Chief Gem and Diamond Valuer (GDV) from the Ministry of Minerals Mr Archard Kalugendo said that two parties had agreed to cooperate in the areas of training, technology and trade.
“We have agreed to cooperate on a range of issues including teaching our youths technology and business and we have also invited them to participate in the Arusha Gem Fair (AGF) when we start as well as inviting them to participate in the Mining Industry Investment Forum in October,” said Kalugendo.
The delegation has also met with the leadership of the Gem and Jewellery institute of Thailand (GIT) where, among other things, they had agreed to work with the Government through the Tanzania Gemology Centre (TGC) to train Tanzanian youths on adding value to gem mining with the aim of stimulating the country’s gem mining trade, pass on the skills of these activities to the next generation as well as generate job opportunities.
