Despite the continued scarcity in the supply of rough and the uncertainty in the global economy, Sandro Sze, director of manufacturing division at Brilliant Trading Company (1974) Ltd in Hong Kong is optimistic that 2010 will be a better year for China’s diamond industry and the global diamond industry at large.



According to Mr Sze, the tight supply of rough seen since May 2009 has been among the biggest challenges facing the diamond industry worldwide. “The shortage in rough supply has continued to put pressure on prices – a trend that we expect to continue in the next few months. The uncertainty in the global economy is another challenge that hovers over us,” he added.



Mr Sze is nonetheless cautiously optimistic about the diamond industry’s prospects. “I am confident that the global economic environment will be more favourable in 2010. The diamond industry must have a positive, prudent attitude in order to withstand the challenges ahead and effectively grasp the business opportunities in the China market,” he said.



Meanwhile, Mr Sze has a rosy outlook for the diamond cutting and processing sector in mainland China. He believes the diamond factories in Hunan Province, which have a higher operational flexibility due to their small-scale production, will flourish further. “These diamond factories, which have just dozens of workers who specialise in polishing diamonds from 30 points to 1 carat, are now developing rapidly in mainland China,” he observed.