Diamond Industry & Cement And Stone industry in Palestine before Nakba, British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Supplement - Page 68

increased to 40,000---45,000 tons of superphosphates and 15,000 tons of sulphuric acid.

The output of the pharmaceutical industry amounted to about £P.1,000,000 in 1945. Since 1946, various difficulties have been experienced by the industry as a result of the changed marketing position.

In 1945, a local factory in conjunction with the Hebrew University, embarked on the production of crude penicillin and in 1946 some factories began the manufacture of D.D.T.

DIAMONDS.

(p. 528)

Since 193{), when arrangements were made for the importation of rough stones from the Diamond Trading Company, the cutting and polishing of diamonds in Palestine have rapidly assumed the status of a major industry.

Conditions for this development were extremely favourable during the war years. Particularly because there was a very ready market for polished diamonds (especially in the U.S.A.) as the result of the absence of supplies from Belgium.

The invasion of the Low Countries in 1940 precluded the immigration of specialists and the supply of tools, but the training of local staff and the ingenuity of local engineers not only overcame these handicaps but also resulted in the introduction of certain improved processes.

The development of the industry can be illustrated by The following figures :-

Year Number of Number 0£
factories workers
--
1941 12 1,200
1942 33 2,50G
1946 34 4,550
The following illustrates the development of the export trade in polished diamonds from lQ-lO--l!J-16. It should be borne in mind, however, that the very marked increase in prices as well as the change-over to the production of larger stones were contributory factors to this sixfold increase:-

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