Petronella Sibeene
15 July 2008
Windhoek — Visiting Liberian president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, has expressed great interest in sharing the Namibian experience in the management of diamond resources.
Yesterday, the president visited NamCot Diamond Cutting and Polishing Factory in the capital.
President Hifikepunye Pohamba had already acknowledged that opportunities exist between Namibia and Liberia in sharing information and experience in the management of the two countries' diamonds during official talks at State House earlier yesterday.
Pohamba was specifically referring to local value addition, creation of employment and the development of homegrown jewellery industries supported by the diamonds that each country produces.
"We believe in ensuring that more benefits are derived from our natural resources including diamonds," said Pohamba.
He added that Namibia and Liberia could also consider exploring further cooperation in the strengthening of diamond trading through the Kimberly Process.
"We want to learn from Namibia how to manage diamond operations," she said.
NamCot Cutting and Polishing Factory has a cutting and polishing capacity of 5000 carats per month.
Currently, it polishes between 2500 and 3000 carats per month and the stones are supplied by De Beers through the Namibian Diamond Trading Company (NDTC), the director of the company, Mwahafa Ndelula, told New Era.
The company is also undergoing an expansion programme where it will also venture into the cutting and polishing of bigger precious stones to the size of between eight and 20 carats.
Ndelula said his company is ready to share the technical know-how with Liberia should interest be expressed by that country.
"If they show interest we are willing to set up a factory there," Ndelula added.
Minister of Mines and Energy, Erkki Nghimtina, who accompanied the Liberian president at the factory said the diamond industry last year only employed 1200 Namibians.
NamCot employs 126 local people.
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