ABER Diamond Corp has become the first diamond producer to open a rough sales office in India. It is 40% owner of Canada’s Diavik mine and plans to establish itself as a diamond marketing company and majority-owner of Harry Winston. The company aims to sell around 60% of its production by carat through the Indian office.

“We are looking to sell rough directly to manufacturers who are currently clients of Mumbai or Antwerp dealers and to develop a source of polished for Harry Winston, its a parallel driver,” said Jim Pounds, managing director of Aber International.

The Toronto-listed It is currently targeting new clients in addition to the 30 clients it already sells to through its office in Antwerp. Abers move also underscores India’s fast growing consumer market. Aber will be maintaining its presence in Antwerp in terms of overall activity to fulfill the growth needs of Harry Winston.

Its Harry Winston brand is currently expanding in different markets and India might soon be one of them. “Mumbai is certainly a consideration for retail possibilities,” said Pounds. “A sales presence in Israel, focusing on clients that can produce well-made fancies for Harry Winston, is also on the cards.” The company is also looking aggressively at new marketing opportunities. "We are not adverse to any interesting marketing possibility," said Pounds.