Debswana production to fall - Budget speech

Presenting the 2008/09 budget at the National Assembly on Monday, Gaolathe said to avoid sharp swings in its fiscal policy stance going forward into NDP 10, it will be critical that the country maintains fiscal discipline over the medium  term.

With fears of a recession in the US (the major market of Botswana's diamonds) which could spread to other industrialised countries, continued dependency on mineral exports makes the country susceptible to a significant decline in the price and profitability of diamonds and other minerals.