The Central African Republic could become more attractive to Russian mining companies after the diamond embargo lifts, Minister-Delegate in the Administration of the President of the CAR for capital construction and strategic investments Pascal Bida Koyagbele stated.
Russian Ambassador Alexander Bikantov held a meeting with Koyagbele to discuss developing the national diamond mining industry following the lifting of the diamond export embargo, according to the Russian Embassy in Bangui.
As reported by the Russian ministry, Koyagbele thanked the Russian authorities for their assistance in removing the trade restrictions and expressed hope that the CAR would become more attractive to large Russian mining.
Earlier, CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadera thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for his assistance in lifting the embargo on diamond exports within the Kimberley Process.
On November 21, the Kimberley Process lifted all restrictions on diamond exports from the CAR. The embargo was introduced in 2013. In 2016, the embargo was partially lifted, allowing the country to supply diamonds from five conflict-free zones.