HARARE (Commodity Online): India will soon face major challenge from Zimbabwe as far as diamond polishing and cutting is concerned.

Till now India’s Surat city was the headquarters of diamond polishing and cutting in the world. But, Zimbabwe, one of the major producers of diamonds in the world, has also started polishing of diamonds near its own diamond fileds.

According to reports, a diamond firm operating from Zimbabwe’s Marange diamond fields has begun constructing a multi-million dollar cutting and polishing centre in the country.

The Zimbabwe Diamond Technology Centre, which is being constructed by Canadile miners, one of the three firms operating in Marange, is set to become operational within six months.

Early this month, Zimbabwe resumed trading of Marange diamond sales since international regulators partially lifted a ban imposed after the military seized control of the mines. The sale generated about 30 million US dollars. Upon completion, the centre is expected to create 7,000 jobs.

Once fully completed, the 20 million US dollar centre will have among other things banks, a diamond college and insurance firms. In January, diamond watchdog Kimberley Process halted the sale of stones from Zimbabwe’s eastern Marange diamond fields after documenting military abuses against civilians.

Zimbabwe will become the world'’s top producer of diamonds following the discovery of the gem in the Marange area of the eastern province of Manicaland within the next five years.

Zimbabwe was on its way to toppling countries such as Russia, Botswana and South Africa as the top diamond producer, International diamond consultant Fillipe van Laere said.

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