Gov't eyes alternative export markets

Senior officials said one of the tough lessons learnt from the recession was that the country could not afford to "keep its eggs in one basket," as far as exports were concerned. The economies of the US, Europe and Japan, which collectively consume 75 percent of Botswana's diamonds, were all blighted by the recession last year, contributing to an estimated 57 percent drop in diamond revenues between 2008 and 2009.

Government now expects to earn P6.9 billion from diamonds for 2009/10, down from levels around P20 billion seen four years ago.