Dali Diamond said it will open a $2.7 million diamond polishing factory in Windhoek, Namibia, which will be inaugurated in the first week of October. The Antwerp-based company said it is committed to local recruitment.

Dali Diamond was established in 1958. It has been a Diamond Trading Company sightholder since 1969 and a customer of Alrosa since 1994. Dali said it will be using state-of-the-art electronic and mechanical manufacturing equipment.

The factory will be based in Windhoek’s Prosperity area and will be fully operational by the end of 2007. By September 2008, the factory will employ about 150 workers and will be run largely by a locally recruited Namibian team trained on all aspects of rough diamond manufacturing, the company said. Incremental, long-term factory growth plans may lead to a workforce of 300.

“Dali is committed to Namibia,” said Dali Diamond director Isi Mörsel. “We will help develop the local economy by making sizeable investments in training local workers, bringing new skills to the economy and installing state-of-the-art technology. We also believe in the value-creating potential of branding the Namibian origin. We will use our proven brand development experience and established network in various downstream markets.”

JCK