Namibian diamond industry.(FACETS)

The Bank of Namibia reported that the local diamond industry's output grew 3.6 percent in the first quarter of 2006, compared to 7.7 growth in the final quarter of 2005 and 8.8 growth in the first quarter of 2005. The slowdown was caused by inactivity among some diamond companies and lower output at some mines.

Diamonds contribute 7 percent of the country's GDP, the most of any product. Diamond exports are also the country's largest source of foreign currency, and Namdeb, the 50-50 joint venture ...