Zimbabwe Diamond Cutters, Polishers Forced to Close

AllAfrica reported that diamond cutters and polishers in Zimbabwe are closing down because the country’s government is not adhering to a policy that states they should receive a quota of locally produced diamonds.

A parliamentary report states:

In a meeting with the association of local cutters and polishers, the committee noted with concern that Government was not very supportive in developing this sector.

This was evidenced by the vague policy by Government in terms of the quota and the quality of gems to be supplied to the local cutters and polishers. At the same time, some (diamond) local cutters and polishers lost their money to Government after paying licence fees without a corresponding duty of accessing the diamonds.

The committee would like to implore Government to seriously consider the development of local cutters and polishers as this has the potential to create more wealth and employment for the economy. The country’s diamonds are being exported in raw form, creating more jobs and wealth for other countries. This is indeed a travesty of justice.

Click here to read the full AllAfrica report.