Windhoek — Congolese President Denis Sassou-N'Guesso during his recent visit to Namibia said he was pleased that the Namibian government was taking steps to add value to its gemstones and boost local revenue.

Sassou-N'Guesso said this last Thursday when he visited the local diamond cutting and polishing company Lev Leviev (LLD).

The president, who was on a three-day State visit to Namibia, said for long Africans have been exporting their resources for value addition to other parts of the world.

"It is a good thing that we see such industries being set up in our countries," he said.

Seven years ago, Namibia passed new legislation giving government the leverage to force diamond producers to make raw stones available to manufacturers operating in the country.

LLD, owned by a Russian-born Israeli diamond tycoon, cuts and polishes between 10 000 and 15 000 carats each month. The company is in diamond deficit as its full capacity stands at 25 000 carats per month.

The company might only cut and polish to full capacity once it starts receiving diamonds from the 16 percent diamonds government earlier indicated should be made available for local processing and value-addition.

"If we get the diamonds, the number of employees is likely to double. The company might also go into jewellery manufacturing with brand names of Namibia," said production manager Dror Shalev.

In southern Africa, the diamond industry employs more than 28000 people. In Namibia, diamonds account for 42 percent of the country's export revenue, five percent of government revenue and 10 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Managing Director of LLD Kombadayedu Kapwanga said Namibia strives to process its own raw materials especially in the diamond industry.

He said LLD always ensures that all the diamonds the firm deals with are certified by the Kimberley Process - aimed at curbing the trade of diamonds used to finance wars.

"Each diamond like people, is unique. It has its own identity, be it colour, weight," he said.

The Congolese president with his delegation also visited Meatco.

His delegation toured the de-boning department. The department employs 106 Namibians and about 300 carcasses are deboned every day.