At present, South Africa produces 16% of the world’s diamonds but just 1% of its diamond jewellery, and it is the goal of the local industry to increase the latter figure to 3.5% in the next three years. Chikane also said the industry should also aim to increase the number of local jobs it provides from 3,000 to 10,000. Stones over 0.5 carats can be cut profitably in South Africa, and the industry could then market locally made jewellery to the 7 million tourists who visit South Africa each year, he said. Chikane acknowledged that De Beers’ practice of preparing diamond assortments with stones of different sizes from South Africa, Botswana and Namibia would make it more complicated for the company to work with the South African government on its goals of beneficiation, but insisted that this can be done if the two sides agree to prepare the assortments in Johannesburg or Botswana.%%Meanwhile, South African Mining Minister Lindiwe Hendricks said on September 19 that the diamond industry concerns about the government’s Diamond Amendment Bill were misplaced, and urged the industry, especially small companies, to participate in hearings on the bill starting October 10. She said the bill was intended in part to help such small firms, which are having difficulty accessing rough. The other intent of the bill is to promote beneficiation, the local polishing and setting into jewellery of rough diamonds.$$Louis Selekane, chief executive of the South African Diamond Board, told Reuters that industry concerns about government interference in the diamond trade through the state-controlled body are misguided, especially as it is likely to start out modestly, providing small amounts of rough diamonds to polishing firms that have been unable to get them.