Interview with Amit Bhansali and Russell Mehta

How critical is CSR to our business operations?

As a family corporation our commitment to living our values has always underpinned the way we approach our business, manage our operations and decisions. Now we have started the implementation of a formal framework to enhance this commitment. CSR is not about talking or an add on. It is about integrating actions in our Business Strategy and delivering sustainable value for all of our stakeholders.

What do you expect from the implementation of this new CSR Strategy 2008-2011?

QUANTIFIABLE AND MEASURABLE RESULTS. The CEO and the Group Associates, together with the Corporate Affairs Committee have established a strategy with Key Performance Indicators and targets on CSR for 2008-2011. The following areas of focus are defined: CSR, Business Partners, Workplace, Health & Safety, Environment and Community. Since this is the first CSR report, we clearly want to state that this is just the initial stage of our CSR implementation efforts. We live in an ever changing world and therefore we have to adapt ourselves and we will continue to fine tune our compliance system in the future.

Do the current market conditions have an impact on the CSR Implementation?

We are operating in a climate of perpetual change: rough and polished diamond prices are continuously fluctuating, and as the costs of other materials and labour continue to escalate, we need to stay competitive. This dynamics also gives opportunities and we are taking this opportunity to actively implement CSR oriented Management.

We believe by DOING THINGS RIGHT, we can earn the support and trust of all our key stakeholders. We are therefore working in various ways to enhance corporate governance and actively implement CSR-oriented management, including transparency and soundness.