YEREVAN. – The $30 million ALROSA quota for diamond sale to Armenian businessmen might be increased, the head of Domestic Market Regulation Department of Armenian Ministry of Economy Gagik Kocharyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

According to him, at present four Armenian jewelry companies purchase rough diamonds from ALROSA.

"ALROSA is constantly monitoring our companies for compliance with their criteria. Over the past few years they have made four visits," said Kocharyan.

According to him, the Ministry of Economy holds negotiations with the Russian company to increase the quota and the number of purchaser-companies. Currently, Armenia has 10-12 operating diamond companies, the volume of the jewelry industry between January - June 2011 amounted to AMD 4.75 billion (about $ 13 million). Recently Armenia signed agreements with other suppliers of raw materials - a memorandum on cooperation in the diamond industry was signed with South Africa in 2010.

ALROSA is world’s largest diamond mining company. During the first half of 2011 the company produced 19 million carats of diamonds.