Indian diamond traders purchasing rough precious stones from major Russian miner Alrosa could be eligible for loans from Russian banks, as domestic lenders have reduced financing for the gem and jewelry sectors.
Russian banks have already started granting money to Alrosa’s foreign clients, according to the Economic Times.
The measure could boost India’s diamond industry, which has been lacking a source of financing since notorious jeweler Nirav Modi was accused of being involved in a $2.5+ billion fraud case in India.
The billionaire was arrested in London in 2019 after managing to enjoy a lavish lifestyle in London for more than a year while on Interpol’s Red Notice list.
Indian banks doing business in the epicenter of the diamond industry – Antwerp in Belgium, source of the bulk of rough diamonds that come to India – have winded down diamond financing in the city.
India has emerged as the largest diamond-cutting center in the world, with between 70 and 90% of all diamonds sent there to be cut.
Russia’s Alrosa is the leading supplier of diamonds in the world, according to the company, and it has long been cooperating with the South Asian nation.
The miner signed 14 long-term contracts with diamond manufacturing companies in India for 2018-2020, and in 2017 it supplied the country with precious stones worth almost $700 million.
RT. com / ABC Flash Point Minerals News 2020.
Russia has it all?
And more?
They only need to cover 15% of the investors money savings accounts?
Nice move, keep the trade going ………………..