Alrosa expects $1.7 billion in diamond sales in 2009

Alrosa, one of the world's largest diamond producers, plans to sell $1.7 billion worth of diamonds in 2009.

YAKUTSK, September 9 (RIA Novosti) - Alrosa, one of the world's largest diamond producers, plans to sell $1.7 billion worth of diamonds in 2009, the company's vice-president said on Wednesday.

"All of our expenditure is based on this sum," Sergei Ulin said.

Alrosa's diamond sales totaled $2.18 billion last year.

The company, in which the Russian government holds a 50.9% stake, accounts for 97% of Russian and 25% of global diamond output.