Diamond exports down 50% by Q3
Friday, December 13, 2024 | 350 Views |
Shiny stones: Diamonds have been in a prolonged slump since the third quarter of last year PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Figures released by the Bank of Botswana recently indicate that between January and October, Debswana sold P22.7 billion in rough diamonds, compared to P45.2 billion over the corresponding period in 2023.
Debswana is the country’s primary producer of diamonds, accounting for more than 95% of annual output. Under the current agreement between its shareholders, De Beers and government, Debswana sells 75% of its annual output to the diamond giant and the balance to the state-owned diamond trader, Okavango Diamond Company.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Dithapelo Keorapetse, has this week rightly washed his hands of the mess, refusing to wade into a party squabble that has no clear leadership and no single version of the truth.When a single party sends six different letters to the Speaker’s office, each claiming to be the authoritative voice, it is not just confusion, but an embarrassment.Keorapetse is correct to insist on institutional boundaries. Parliament...