[allAfrica.com]  [celtel.com]


Sierra Leone Exports US$118m Worth of Diamonds

Concord Times (Freetown)
NEWS
December 8, 2004
Posted to the web December 8, 2004

By Ibrahim Seibureh
Freetown
President Kabbah Monday told visiting German President Prof. Horst Kohler that
government has exported US$118million worth of diamonds between January-
November this year.
Kabbah says there is a remarkable improvement in the country's diamond sector.
He said government earned US$10 million in 2000, US$26 million in 2001, US$41
million in 2002 and US$76 million in 2003 from the diamond sector alone.
"My government is earning substantial revenue from diamond exports and we are
making progress to control illicit diamond mining in the country," he said,
adding that the country would enforce diamond-mining regulations to sustain the
sector.
Kabbah also says the German government has played a vital role in developing
trade, economic cooperation, education and infrastructure in the country.
"Your country has been a strong supporter in the promotion of peace and
security, conflict resolution and promotion of good governance and the rule of
law in our country," the President said to his colleague.
He informed the German President that his government is in the process of
finalizing a white paper on the TRC report, which has been submitted to the
United Nations.

   

  ================================================================================
  Copyright © 2004 Concord Times. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica
                           Global Media (allAfrica.com).
  ================================================================================