The Namibia Revenue Agency and the Namibia Diamond Trading Company will set up a permanent joint committee following a recent engagement between the two institutions.
The meeting focused on improving coordination, addressing operational challenges and creating a shared platform to resolve issues affecting NDTC and its clients.
NDTC Chief Executive Officer Brent Eiseb said clients operating under the EPZ regime raised several concerns. “These included challenges related to the application of import duties, the correct use of Customs Harmonised System Codes, VAT refund processes and issues surrounding the security of diamonds during NamRA inspection procedures,” he said.
NamRA Commissioner Sam Shivute welcomed the engagement and said it provided crucial insight into NDTC’s operational environment. He noted that the improved understanding would help remove bottlenecks and strengthen service delivery.
The two institutions agreed to establish a permanent joint committee to address operational issues and work on long-term solutions. NamRA also committed to hosting an engagement session with NDTC and its clients to deepen understanding of the diamond industry.
The development comes as NDTC has raised concerns about uncertainty surrounding the phase-out of the EPZ regime. Eiseb previously warned that the lapse of the EPZ Act on 31 December 2025 without a transition to a Special Economic Zone framework could lead to factory closures, higher production costs and job losses in diamond cutting and polishing.
He said unclear policy could discourage reinvestment and undermine beneficiation gains, noting that Sightholders have invested more than N$530 million in infrastructure and technology.
Eiseb also reported strong beneficiation performance, with Sightholders purchasing about N$13 billion in rough diamonds since 2023 and around 88% of carats sold now cut and polished in Namibia.
