Armenia has instituted new policies to enhance the country’s chances of becoming a player in the diamond beneficiation industries, Rough and Polished reported. The Armenian government has made it simpler for its citizens to import rough diamonds to the country and to export polished diamonds from it.
The new rules require diamond companies to produce only four documents – an application, a copy of contract, a Kimberley Process certificate and a report of the authorized agency – in order to bring precious gems into the country, significantly less documentation than they had to submit previously. Additionally, the paperwork may be submitted via the internet instead of in person, making the process easier still.
In 2010, Armenia imported approximately $20.2 million worth of rough diamonds from Russia and exported about $19.5 million of polished diamonds in that same period, according to Rough and Polished. In 2011, Armenia vastly increased its imports of Russian rough diamonds, receiving $30 million worth of stones from Alrosa.
