Belarusian Rough Imports Rise 50% to 38,357 Carats

The import of rough diamonds into Belarus increased 50 percent to 38,357 carats year-over-year in the first half of 2007, according to data from the Belarusian Finance Ministry.

Second quarter rough diamond imports rose 30.1 percent by volume, to 21,689 carats and 80 percent by value to $6.24 million, in comparison to the first quarter.

Belarus has one diamond polishing plant, based in the south eastern city of Gomel, near the border with Ukraine, which produces industrial diamonds for defense and high-tech industries in the Balkans, Western Africa and the Middle East.