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Last update - 23:57 12/02/2008 Namibia invites Israeli companies to help polish its diamonds By The Associated Press Tags: namibia, diamonds, Israel Namibia's commissioner of diamonds said Tuesday that while his country was committed to getting more of its rough gems cut and polished locally, it was hoping to do that in partnership with major processing centers, like Tel Aviv, Antwerp and Mumbai. Speaking at an international conference on rough diamonds in Tel Aviv, commissioner Kennedy Hamutenya said developing Namibia's capability to turn rough diamonds to finished stones did not mean shutting out foreign expertise. Advertisement "We've invited investors from Israel, from Antwerp [Belgium], from India to come and do business in Namibia," he said. "We actually expect investors ... to import skills to our work force. We want a commitment to really transfer skills to Namibia." Africa accounts for about 60 percent of the world's rough diamond mining. In November 2006, 12 African states, including Namibia, formed the African Diamond Producing Countries Association to press for producer countries to carry out more of the value-enhancing process themselves. Hamutenya said diamond sales make up 50 percent of his country's exports. "Diamonds are a strategic commodity for us, just like oil is for Saudi Arabia," he said. Israel does not produce diamonds itself but is a leading polishing and trading center. The Israel Diamond Institute, host to the Tel Aviv conference, claims to have the world's largest diamond trading floor and says Israel exported polished diamonds worth over $7 billion in 2007. Liberian Mines Minister Eugene Shannon told the conference that following the end of UN sanctions against his country, it last year shipped its first package of export-certified diamonds, sending them to Israel. Certification is carried out under a multinational agreement known as the Kimberly Process, whose members undertake to trade only fully documented diamonds. The United Nations imposed sanctions on the Liberian diamond trade in 2001 after then-President Charles Taylor was accused of using blood diamonds to fuel a civil war in neighboring Sierra Leone. Taylor, who went into exile in August 2003, faces war crimes charges stemming from his alleged backing of Sierra Leone's rebels, who tortured victims by chopping off their arms, legs, ears and lips. Samuel Sam-Sumama, vice president of Sierra Leone, told delegates Tuesday that since the end of the fighting and his country's signing up to the Kimberly process, it has been trying to restore its reputation. "All diamonds exported out of Sierra Leone are now conflict-free," he said. "We shall continue to work and ensure that the Kimberly Process is properly implemented in Sierra Leone." Related articles: Diamond industry officials identify Israelis killed in Namibia crash Diamond magnate Leviev funds religious programs in schools I coulda been a diplomat Bookmark to del.icio.us   Gore wins TAU prize Al Gore and Amos OZ are among the recipients of the 2008 Dan David Prize. Spring roll strike Asian eateries across Israel cut menu over plans to rid kitchens of foreign chefs.   1.   Unstained diamonds? 21:35  |  Joan Stuchner 12/02/08   2.   Reserve duty in Namibia.... 22:32  |  Esther 12/02/08

Today Online Bradley Burston: Sderot as Stalingrad, Hamas as Samson Responses: 135 Ahmed Yousef: Palestinian revenge was inevitable Responses: 138 Israeli town sues Google over claim it was built on Arab village Responses: 169 Majadele: New Arab city will bolster our sense of belonging Responses: 67 Krakow church holds service slamming 'kikes who spit on us' Responses: 205 Rosner's Domain Guest: Why does Obama think talking to "Hitler" can succeed? Obama is gaining momentum- also within the Jews Democratic policy unity is a mirage (WTR) Poll: Is it legitimate to cut electricity to Gaza? Factor: How's McCain better than Obama More Headlines 23:55 Merkel to PM: We'll push for more Iran sanctions 23:16 Dov Alfon named as new Haaretz editor-in-chief 22:50 IDF soldier moderately hurt in stabbing attack near Jenin 18:59 Majadele: New Arab city will bolster our sense of belonging 20:30 Turkish min.: Israeli terms for satellite sale could hamper deal 19:16 Poland won't sue author of book on post-WWII anti-Semitism 19:03 Peres: If we're fired upon, we must hit back without hesitation 23:03 FM to attend Lantos memorial service in Washington, may meet Rice 23:59 U.S. Jewish leader worried by thrust of White House campaigns 19:45 Prosecutor rejects appeal in case of killing of Palestinian girl 21:39 Police: Criminal bombings, other arms offenses up dramatically in north 17:01 Asian eateries cut menu over plans to rid kitchens of foreign chefs 23:57 Namibia invites Israeli companies to help polish its diamonds Previous Editions Select Day 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb 08 feb 07 feb 06 feb 05 feb 04 feb 03 feb 01 feb 31 jan 30 jan

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