Calls grow for alternative diamond marketin

Currently, the Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB), co-owned by government and De Beers, sorts and values all production Debswana mines. The DTCB also has a sales and marketing function which is responsible for local sales of aggregated diamonds.

With the drop in diamond prices last year and the gemstones' slow recovery this year, more voices are urging government to fast-track the establishment of diamond auctions and tenders, independent of the DTCB. On Wednesday, leading economist, Dr Keith Jefferis, said such a move would give the country more information and control over the price of diamonds.