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Diamond Sector: At present, the diamond manufacturing industry in South Africa comprises 221 licensed diamond manufacturers, DTC mainly supplies
rough diamonds to the industry. Besides rough is imported from Belgium and elsewhere. Many manufacturers buy rough locally from Diamdel or from rough dealers, who, in turn, buy from the small "diggings" where competition is intense and prices are high. There are also some non-De Beers (independent) mines which sell their output locally.

Development of Technology : South Africa is a leading country in the development of new technology for the diamond cutting industry.

The Master Diamond Cutters' Association counts 80 members employing approximately 95 per cent ofthe labour in the industry.

South Africa, just like India also employs women in the diamond sector.

Diamond Bourse: A Diamond Bourse was established in 1987 and it has over 200 members. The operation of the Bourse has proved to be very successful.

Regulated Rough Trading: The Diamond Bourse Committee has lately established a rough diamond trading floor also in the premises of the Diamond Bourse. Traditionally, trading in rough diamonds on the open market in South Africa has been conducted in buying offices situated in the producing areas. It is hoped that the establishment of a centralized trading floor will increase the level of activity in this sector of the industry and make more rough available for the local cutting industry.

The Industry is regulated by the South African Diamond Board. This Body comprises representatives from the government. De Beers and the industry. The Board's primary function is to administer the Diamonds Act with respect to the licensing of people in the industry, expos of rough and polished diamonds, imports of rough diamonds, the accumulation of statistical information, concluding agreement with producers for the supply of rough diamonds to the local manufacturing industry and related matters.

South African law requires that all domestically mined rough must first be offered to local manufacturers, if this isn't done, a rough export duty may be applied. De Beers, for example, semi-annually displays a representative sample of its goods. Manufacturers and government officials then indicate which goods should go into the local market.

The sights in South Africa differ from those in London and Lucern. First of all there are no syndicate broker in south Africa; Sightholders deal directly with De Beers. Furthermore, the DTC offers almost exclusively locally mined rough to the south African sightholders.

Diamond Valuation: A Government Diamond Valuator examines diamonds mined in the country at the request of the Diamond Board, before exports. The Board uses the valuations to ensure that the correct taxes are paid on all exported diamonds.

Export Subsidies: 'The government provides exporters with an annual export subsidy calculated as a fixed percentage over the total amount of exports. Based on the exporters' balance sheets, they receive a fixed amount in Rands paid annually. Polished diamonds are entitled to a 2.5 per cent subsidy.