Côte d’Ivoire: Belgium Lifts Ban On Ivory Coast Diamonds Trade

Dec 16, 2014 | Kathleen Caulderwood, International Business Times
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Belgium has lifted a ban on diamonds from the Ivory Coast that’s been in place for more than a decade, after training local officials to spot conflict diamonds.

“Now that the Ivory Coast’s political situation has stabilized and its economy is recovering, diamond production is back in the picture,” reads a Tuesday press release from Belgium’s foreign ministry, which also cautions that the Ivorian government must establish control over the trade and comply with international regulations.

More than a decade ago, the U.N. imposed sanctions on Ivory Coast that halted its diamond trade when it was found not to comply with the new regulations.