Emerald conference in Colombia debates international exchange

Delegates from sixteen countries are meeting in Bogota to consider a Colombian proposal to create an international exchange in emeralds, one of the world's most precious stones .

Colombia is the world's leading emerald exporter but the industry's image there has been tarnished by allegations of large-scale smuggling and violence linked to organised crime.

The Colombian authorities hope the planned exchange will regulate the production, transport, and marketing of emeralds, and help control prices.

But the BBC Bogata correspondent says similar plans which have been drawn up before have failed.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service