Russian market for diamonds mines may be liberalized from July 1, 2006 said Russia's finance minister.
The move, in effect, will end the monopoly for selling diamonds, currently held by Gokhran, the Russian state-controlled precious metals and gemstones repository.
When questioned whether the move was linked with the Kremlin increasing its stake in Alrosa to 50 per cent plus one share, Kudrin replied, “As far as the liberalisation of the market of diamonds is concerned, it may happen earlier.”