Within the first six months of this year, 2010, Sierra Leone has increased its diamond exports by 43 percent from a year prior. The government’s Gold and Diamond office in Sierra Leone released a news statement showing how figures for exports have reached $51 million (£33.1 million).
In the first six months of last year, 2009, exports reached a total of $35.9 million (£23.3 million).
Although this substantial rise suggests promising recovery for the country, diamond exports are still struggling to attain the levels seen between 2005 and 2007.
The statement highlighted that "in 2005, 668,709 carats were exported valued at $141.9 [£92.1], while in 2007, 803,823 carats valued at $141.6 [£91.9] were exported."
Deputy Mining Minister Ignatius Koroma explained that the figures indicated that a "recent decision to reduce the fee for the export licence for diamond dealers by five percent has paid dividends".
Following a decline in demand for diamonds as a result of the global financial crisis which hit towards the end of 2008, the government chose to reduce export license costs to $35,000 (£22,732) from $40,000 (£25,980). Although the effects of the recession are still lingering, these latest half-year figures are an encouraging reflection of gradual recovery.
The government has also stepped up its efforts to control the smuggling of diamonds to neighbouring countries which they anticipate will positively affect the export and import figures.