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De Beers plans local jewellery manufacturing plant

Down the value chain: De Beers intends to establish a diamond jewellery plant in the country, with retail out to the international market PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Down the value chain: De Beers intends to establish a diamond jewellery plant in the country, with retail out to the international market PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Diamond giant, De Beers, plans to partner with one of its sightholders to establish a diamond jewellery manufacturing plant in Botswana, targeted at the international retail market, BusinessWeek has learned.

The development is part of the agreements in principle reached between De Beers and government last week as part of the new sales and mining deal.

The two parties sealed the agreement in principle late on Friday night, following tense negotiations dating back to 2019, which were due to elapse on midnight, June 30. The new arrangements, which will be finalised by lawyers and require shareholder approval, cover a suite of proposals, several of which revolve around greater diamond value chain development in Botswana and citizen empowerment.


Editor's Comment
Micro-procurement maze demands urgent reform

Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...

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