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(a) whether a delegation of Gem and Jewellery Export Production Council has visited Democratic Republic of Congo and Russia for making bids in the tender proceedings for direct procurement of rough diamonds;
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(b) if so, the dates on which the said delegation has made its visit;
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(c) whether the delegation was able to procure directly rough diamonds from the said countries;
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(d) if so, the details thereof; and
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(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( SHRI DIGVIJAY SINGH )
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. A delegation comprising representatives of Department of Commerce, MMTC and Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) visited Russia from 13th to 18th December 2000. Another delegation of representatives of GJEPC visited Societe Minere de Bakwanga (MIBA) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, from 7th to 13th December 2000 to explore the possibility of direct procurement of rough diamonds from them.
(c), (d) and (e) : As regards the direct supply of rough diamonds from Russia, a contract valued at US $ 4.46 million was signed during the visit of the Indian delegation. However, the sale of the rough diamonds from Russia has not yet materialized for want of necessary export licence with the concerned Russian agency to export rough diamonds directly to India. As regards supply from MIBA of the Democratic Republic of Congo, though the Indian delegation gave its tender bids, they did not succeed in winning the tender on price considerations.