ADDRESS BY THE HON JOHN DALLI, MINISTER OF FINANCE, AT THE EURO-FORUM ORGANISED BY THE MALTA INSTITUTE OF TAXATION AT MEDSERV BASE MANOEL ISLAND

Mrs. Blanche Refalo, wife of the Minister for Tourism, will unveil the spectacular diamond known as the Heart of Africa at the Weddings Fair in Naxxar, on Saturday, 4^th November, 2000, at 7.30p.m. The Hon. Michael Refalo, Minister for Tourism, will address the public after the unveiling.

GABA Diamond Co. Ltd., Leaders in the Jewellery Trade, with an experience of over 30 years in this sector will be exhibiting the largest single gem Diamond ever brought to Malta.

This unique diamond came up to the crust of the earth in the beginning of the 1870's in South Africa. The stone weighed 72.86 carats in the rough. It was cut in Paris to yield an intense yellow heart shaped diamond and was appropriately called the Heart of Africa. It measures 33.12mm by 20.54mm and weighs a staggering 31.46ct. It was bought by the Prince of Thailand in 1898 and then auctioned a few years later by Christie's.

Nature provides a small number of Diamonds of attractive definite yellow, orange, pink, blue and red colours. The rarity of such diamonds, known as "Fancy" coloured diamonds, is borne out in the increasingly high prices these diamonds fetch at international auctions.

The value of this fancy coloured diamond depends enormously upon the rarity of its colour, much more than its clarity, perfection of cutting, style and even its size.

The stone will be exhibited at the GABA Stand during the Weddings Fair at the Trade Fair Grounds in Naxxar, this week-end.

GABA will continue to exhibit this World Famous Diamond at their premises in Valley Road, Msida, until the end of December, 2000.