By Petronella Sibeene
WINDHOEK
Namibia would see an upsurge in the opening of diamond cutting and polishing factories in the next few months as the Government steps up its commitment to add value to its unfinished products, the Diamond Commissioner Kennedy Hamutenya has said.
The Diamond Commissioner yesterday told New Era that the Ministry of Mines and Energy has so far registered 20 licences for cutting and polishing of the precious stones.
Six of the approved licences are already in operation, he said.
According to Hamutenya, there will be a lot of activity in the next few months.
“Other factories are under construction and will be opening (in the coming few months),” he added.
Already, one new multi-million-dollar diamond polishing company, Dali Diamond, would be inaugurated in the capital early next month.
Dali Diamond, an Antwerp-based diamond supplier, will distribute and market Namibian diamonds, a statement said yesterday.
To be based in the capital’s Prosperita area, the US$2.7 million factory is scheduled to be fully operational towards the end of this year.
Dali Diamond director, Isi M???_?_’???_?’???_?