adminIt also seeks to ensure that the valuation and marketing of the gems meets international standards.
Mines and Mining Development permanent secretary Mr Prince Mupazviriho said the policy was now expected to be in place next month.
“Finalisation of the document did not come through at the time we had thought we would be finished,” he said.
“But hopefully by mid May we should be through and have it in place,” he added without elaborating on the causes for the delay.
Implementation of the policy would promote integration of the diamond industry into the economy to ensure the sector makes a meaningful contribution.
It would also promote value addition instead of exporting rough diamonds, a situation which has created jobs in other countries at the expanse of Zimbabwe which is battling to deal with a high unemployment rate.
Currently the seventh largest diamond producer in the world, Zimbabwe is expected to become the third largest producer in the next decade with potential to satisfy 25 percent of global demand.
The country is expected to earn at least $600 million from the sale of the gems this year. — New Ziana.
Online Reporter