The Legislative Assembly (AL) has passed the outline of a government-drafted bill which would enable Macau to implement the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), which then would allow Macau to formally engage in the international trade in rough diamonds in line with international standards.
Secretary for Economy and Finance Lionel Leong Vai Tac introduced the outline of the bill during a plenary session in the legislature’s hemicycle on Friday.
According to Wikipedia, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is the process established and implemented in 2003 to prevent “conflict diamonds” from entering the mainstream rough diamond market, based on UN General Assembly Resolution 55/56. The process was set up to ensure that diamond purchases are not financing violence by rebel movements and their allies seeking to undermine legitimate governments.
Secretary for Economy and Finance Lionel Leong Vai Tac speaks during Friday’s plenary session in the legislature’s hemicycle. Courtesy: TDM
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