Africa-Press – Botswana. Botswana is seeking expansion of collaboration with the Antwerp World Diamond Centre to propagate strong messages on the benefits of ethically sourced natural diamonds for sustainable development.
This was said by Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kabo Morwaeng Monday during official talks with members of a Flemish delegation.
He said government was confident that forging a strong partnership and collaboration with the centre would assist in achieving the long term objective of transforming Botswana into a diamond hub.
Minister Morwaeng said talks between Botswana and the Flanders region in Belgium sought to enforce objectives of their May 2017 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The MoU had become instrumental in the development of Botswana’s diamond value chain and beneficiation, he said.
The minister said the MoU had made attachment of Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) students to HB Antwerp to learn about diamond processing possible.
He said the Flemish delegation’s visit was an affirmation of commitment to sustain the relationship between the two nations.
Mr Morwaeng said the meeting followed bilateral cooperation discussions between President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and Flanders Minister-President Jan Jambon during the 6th Africa-EU summit in February last year.
Calling for nurturing and enhancement of the long standing relations between the two nations in mining, tourism and agriculture, he said collaboration should be extended to sectors such as digitisation, innovation, research and development, waste management and energy.
Minister Morwaeng said the successful twinning arrangement between the City of Francistown and Genk dating back to 2004 and renewed in 2019, was an indication that strong partnership and success was eminent.
“This should serve as clear testament that where deliberate efforts are made and a clear action plan is put in place, we can achieve the much desired end results,” he said.
HB Antwerp is an Antwerp-based technology company focused on diamonds and its founders are determined to reconceive the way the gems are sourced and traded.
The company uses technology to broaden the concept of transparency with a focus on end-to-end supply chain management.
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