The Tanzanian government has added a gemstone advisory board made up of both government and industry representatives, reports Tuckman International’s Abe Suleman, a colored stones wholesaler and the ICA’s ambassador to Tanzania. The board will directly advise the minister of energy and minerals on the gemstone sector.

ICA predicts that with the law amended to establish the advisory board, “One can now expect swift action, notably in the exports of rough and incentives giving impetus to the establishment of locally owned and operated gemstone cutting operations.”

The Ministry for Energy and Minerals and the Tanzania Mineral Dealers Association are discussing plans to mine various gem varieties other than tanzanite in order to increase the number of visiting buyers.