Small rough diamonds are sorted at Belgian diamond company Rosy Blue in Antwerp, Belgium February 2018. [Photo: Reuters]

Angola plans a new system for selling rough diamonds as part of President João Lourenço’s efforts to increase investment, production and government revenue, a draft decree shows.

Diamond producers say they have struggled to make money in Angola due to a marketing system that obliged them to sell at below international prices, leading them to largely shun one of the world’s most exciting prospects for the precious stones.