The government has warned businessmen to stop selling
gemstones on the black market — particularly Tanzanite.
The warning was issued by Stephen Masele, the Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals when opening this year’s Arusha International Gem , Jewellery and Minerals Fair in Arusha 2013.
The warning was issued by Stephen Masele, the Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals when opening this year’s Arusha International Gem , Jewellery and Minerals Fair in Arusha 2013.
Official Ministry of Energy and Minerals figures indicate
that in the year 2000 for instance, Tanzania registered exports of Tanzanite
amounting to only USD 12 million – although the actual value of the gemstone reaching
the world market was over USD 150 million
The United States Ministry of Commerce in the same year
stated that it spent about US$328 million on Tanzanite purchases, though
statistics on exported Tanzanite from Tanzania.
Some other studies have indicated that Tanzanite sales in the United States alone are worth more than US$400 million a year, which means nobody knows exactly how much Tanzanite is being smuggled out of Tanzania or sold through unofficial channels.
Some other studies have indicated that Tanzanite sales in the United States alone are worth more than US$400 million a year, which means nobody knows exactly how much Tanzanite is being smuggled out of Tanzania or sold through unofficial channels.
Masele said the government will maintain zero tolerance of
illegal business activity in gemstones, stressing that any businessman engaging
in the illegal trading of gemstones risked stern legal action. He asked foreign
businessmen interested in gemstones from Tanzania such as the Tanzanite and
Green Garnet to buy these from official outlets.
“With effect from 30th September, 2011, the Government introduced a ‘certificate of origin’ for any export of Tanzanite. I urge you and your governments to support the implementation of this initiative by not buying Tanzanite that is not accompanied by a certificate of origin,” the Deputy Minister said. “Your support will, to a large extent, curb the…smuggling of our Tanzanite.”
“With effect from 30th September, 2011, the Government introduced a ‘certificate of origin’ for any export of Tanzanite. I urge you and your governments to support the implementation of this initiative by not buying Tanzanite that is not accompanied by a certificate of origin,” the Deputy Minister said. “Your support will, to a large extent, curb the…smuggling of our Tanzanite.”
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