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THE just ended two-day diamond conference represents a coup d’état for Zimbabwe against its detractors. Not long ago Zimbabwe’s diamonds were a subject of intense resistance with some labelling them blood diamonds.

The fact that the world’s leading diamond producers, traders and retailers converged at the Harare International Conference Centre to deliberate on how to make Zimbabwe’s diamond industry better, shows that the country has nothing to hide in relation to diamond mining.

In other parts of the world diamonds are a source of conflict and civil wars, but we applaud the Government for ensuring safe mining and trade of the precious gems.

The conference drew delegates and speakers from as far as the Far East, Europe and from around Africa and from world organisations such as the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, World Diamond Council, Antwerp, Dubai Diamond Exchange, among many others. African ministers of mines and resources, together with local diamond producers also attended the conference.

This representation shows how much the world values Zimbabwe’s gems. That the Government through the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development organised the conference also indicates how much the country values its own resources.

A diamond tender which opened on Monday last week raised interest around the globe with 410 buyers participating and 133 companies attending.

These events show that Government places high regard in transparency in the marketing of diamonds. For we have nothing to hide. However, in as much as we support these initiatives, it is imperative on Government to devote the same energy to other sub sectors of the mining sector.

We do not wish for a situation where other miners feel unimportant and second class. Diamond is as important to Zimbabwe as is gold, platinum, copper, tin and many other endowments we play host to.

We applaud the Minister of Mines and Mining Development’s diligence in introducing transparency in the mining and marketing of diamonds.

Until now, the country has not realised significant benefits from diamonds. That is why the Minister’s position on transparency is a noble initiative. He needs our support. But diamonds are not the only resource that we possess. Diamonds are not the panacea to the economic challenges. There is more to it than just diamonds.

Our economy should not be centred on one sector, for if we do that, then we will be exposing ourselves to the vagaries that are synonymous with that sector.

We need a wholesome economic development strategy. What we do for diamonds, we must do for all other minerals so that we are able to hedge against downwards movements in any particular sector. Similarly, what we do for mining, we should also do agriculture, tourism, financial services, labour and manufacturing.

There is indeed more to the economy than just diamonds. Zimbabwe should be a multifaceted economy. We should not be linear.

We say this because we are aware that the rainy season is upon us. How prepared are we for the 2014/15 agricultural season? We are aware that Government seed and fertiliser companies hiked prices for the critical inputs, would this not affect our plans as people may not afford the new prices?

Agriculture is the backbone of the economy and we must not leave anything to chance for if we do, we would be collapsing our own spine. What plans are there for other sectors of the economy? We must be holistic in the way we do business. Sometimes we are guilty of overplaying other sectors at the expense of similarly critical centres of the economy.

At the start of the diamond rush the nation almost forgot all the other economic sectors. All roads led to Chiadzwa. But over the years, it has been proven that diamonds are not the only mineral or mining the only sector to change the economic fortunes of this country. How about an all stakeholders’ conference on agriculture, MSMEs, financial services sector and manufacturing? If we could draw so many delegates to the diamond conference, isn’t it a sign that the world is warming up to Zimbabwe and therefore we should market our other economic sectors.

Recently, we had the International Monetary Fund approving a successor Staff Monitored Programme covering the period October 2014-December 2015. Should we not be brainstorming on how to take advantage of all these developments for the good of the economy?

We are also of the view that our Ministries should not operate like silos. While the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development hosted the diamond conference, what cross-ministry packages were offered to the visitors to ensure exposure of our sectors?

This we say because we are aware that some of the buyers, traders and producers could have been enticed by the many opportunities in the country.

We must throw away the silo mentality.

What did the Ministry of Tourism, for instance offer the delegates and did the bankers attempt to engage the diamond dealers who move millions of funds across continents?

It cannot be true that diamond traders are blinkered towards the gems only. It was worth a try.

We could have seen financial institutions exhibiting at the HICC offering the traders packages for moving funds. We could have seen SMEs displaying their potential to the visitors.

Now that we have commenced diamond sales locally what synergies can our economic sectors draw from this?

Our economy should benefit from any activity any one of the sectors undertakes. It takes more than just diamonds.