Namibia's government is urging diamond manufacturers to increase their cutting and polishing operations in the country, rather than sending diamonds abroad to be processed, the AllAfrica.com news site reports.

"We expect factories to cut and polish at least 90%, if not all, of their rough stones in Namibia," Mines and Energy Permanent Secretary Joseph Iita declared.

At a recent gala dinner of the Diamond Manufacturer Association of Namibia (Diaman), Iita told the attendees that the nation's diamond industry was still in its infancy and needed support to expand.

While the government was aware that diamond companies could cut and polish stones at less expense in China, India, and elsewhere, it nevertheless expected diamond manufacturers operating in Namibia to invest in employees' working conditions and in skills transfer, Iita said.

The government is also urging manufacturers to branch out into jewelry manufacturing and create Namibian brands.