Canada’s Western Premiers’ Conference 2003

KELOWNA, British Columbia

June 9, 2003

Western Premiers have agreed to launch a national diamond strategy for the expansion of Canada’s growing diamond industry.

Canada is currently producing approximately 12% of the world’s rough diamonds, (over $1 billion per year) placing it third in the world, behind Botswana and Russia and ahead of South Africa.

The Premiers want to ensure Canadians receive the full benefit of Canada’s exceptional diamond resource:

   
1. They will initiate the development of a Canadian diamond strategy that maximizes the benefits to Canadians from all stages for emerging diamond industry, including exploration, mining and value added.
   
2. They will invite the Federal Government to join the provinces and territories in the development of a Canadian diamond strategy, including an open exchange of the issues associated with the promotion of a Canadian secondary diamond industry.

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