Botswana pushes for local diamond cutting

WINDHOEK – President Festus Mogae of Botswana, the world’s top diamond producer, said on Friday that he wanted more cutting and polishing units in southern Africa as he arrived in Windhoek for talks with his Namibian counterpart.

Mogae, who was accompanied by Minerals Minister Charles Tibone, said the region produced most of the diamonds for mining giant De Beers and therefore had to develop the value added. “We want more cutting and polishing taking place in southern Africa”, Mogae told reporters at a joint press conference.”Over time, we, the diamond producing countries in southern Africa want more value addition done locally,” Mogae added.President Hifikepunye Pohamba said a 10-year agreement with De Beers in Namdeb, the Namibian diamond company, in which both have a 50 per cent stake, would be renewed soon.”Our two countries should work together in order to leverage the economic potential of our natural resources for the benefit of our people”, Pohamba added.Namibia produced around 1,46 million carats in 2003, bringing in some N$2,8 billion – or 10 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) and 40 per cent of foreign revenue.Botswana produced some 31 million carats in 2004.- Nampa-AFP”We want more cutting and polishing taking place in southern Africa”, Mogae told reporters at a joint press conference.”Over time, we, the diamond producing countries in southern Africa want more value addition done locally,” Mogae added.President Hifikepunye Pohamba said a 10-year agreement with De Beers in Namdeb, the Namibian diamond company, in which both have a 50 per cent stake, would be renewed soon.”Our two countries should work together in order to leverage the economic potential of our natural resources for the benefit of our people”, Pohamba added.Namibia produced around 1,46 million carats in 2003, bringing in some N$2,8 billion – or 10 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) and 40 per cent of foreign revenue.Botswana produced some 31 million carats in 2004.- Nampa-AFP