De Beers, Botswana sales agreement: Will there be any changes?

Some analysts say Botswana is keen to break the DTC "monopoly" as it wanted an alternative diamond market system, which will give better value to its diamonds. So if that is the case what sort of an impact this will have on De Beers? Rough & Polished's MATHEW NYAUNGWA from Namibia caught up with De Beers Group's Head of Media Relations LYNETTE GOULD to find out the diamond giant thinks about this possible shake-up

De Beers group executive director, Stephen Lussier, was earlier in the year quoted as saying "(De Beers) have a long term relationship with government (of Botswana) which resulted in us investing $83million for the DTC Botswana. So I don't think the negotiations should be about undermining the DTC Botswana, which we have set up together. If we do that then I am sure De Beers will lose out in one way and government will also lose out in another way". How will both parties lose if the status quo is changed?