Africa-Press – Botswana. Government has taken a bold step to facilitate an ecosystem of long-term partnerships with knowledgeable and skilled entrepreneurs in the minerals value chain to increase revenue earnings.
President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said this during the Akh-Ba-Ka exhibition of the necklace by Lucara Diamond Company, led by Andre Messika Diamonds on Friday.
He emphasised the importance of structured partnerships with foreign direct investment entities to achieve the country’s economic goals as a diamond-producing nation.
He said the goal was to make diamonds beneficial to all citizens.
President Masisi highlighted the government’s proactive stance in empowering the majority of citizens to actively participate in the diamond industry.
“We hope to leverage on the finances and programmes under the new diamond agreement, part of a recent transformative sales agreement with the De Beers group,’ he said.
Dr Masisi said the commitment to growing the mineral beneficiation sector included expanding efforts to involve more locals in the minerals sector.
He stressed the importance of not only focusing on diamond extraction but also on the entire diamond value chain, including cutting, polishing, marketing, designing, and retailing jewellery.
“The country’s human capita technical capacity should no longer be concentrated at the upstream scale of extracting or mining of diamonds gem stones, sorting and selling them rough, but should rather be in the entire participation of the diamond value chain,”he said.
Additionally, the President said Batswana must acquire knowledge and skills for cutting, polishing, marketing and selling diamonds as well as participating in designing, manufacturing and retailing of jewellery pieces that would make a cut in within the world’s diamonds trading and fashion trendsetters.
Thus, he praised the addition of local jewellery designing to the diamond industry and expressed delight in government association with Andre Messika Diamonds, known for its transparency and traceability in diamond production.
“This remarkable diamond traceability development enables customers access to advanced and yet reliable traceability certificate which is an assurance of clean and responsible mining,” he said.
The President commended Lucara-Karowe mine for its role in unearthing quality gemstones and contributing to Botswana’s development.
He attributed Lucara’s success to the enabling environment created by the government, emphasising the company’s support for local communities, sports, and the creative industry.
He therefore expressed optimism that Botswana would draw dividends in the foreseen establishment of Andre Messika Diamonds cutting and polishing factory in Botswana.
The factory establishment, he said, would not only create employment for locals but likewise create a market for Botswana diamonds.
Mr Andre Messika, the managing director of Messika Diamonds, pledged to assist the government in promoting Botswana diamonds globally.
He highlighted Botswana’s potential for substantial economic and social development through leveraging its diamond resources effectively.
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