Sierra Leone diamond exports rose by 25% in the first five months of 2010, coming to $35 million, Diamond World reported.



Sierra Leone government increased diamond export taxation at the beginning of 2010, from 6.5% to 15%.



Sierra Leone exported $79 million worth of diamonds in 2009, showing a 20% dip. In 2008 it exported over $99 million worth of rough diamonds.



Sierra Leone government is hopeful that exports will pick up by 2011, despite the current downturn effects of the economy in the diamond market.