mmegi

Govt forges ahead with HB deal

Shining bright: Diamonds are the economy's mainstay
Shining bright: Diamonds are the economy's mainstay

President Mokgweetsi Masisi says government is conducting “detailed legal and commercial due diligence studies” in order to finalise the purchase of a 24% equity stake in Belgian diamond firm, HB Antwerp.

The deal was shrouded in doubt last month after Lucara terminated its own 10-year agreement with HB, citing “material breaches of financial commitments”. Prior to that, the Belgian diamond trader was shaken after one of its co-founding partners initiated a lawsuit alleging he had been kicked out of the firm.

Last month, when asked by Mmegi whether the termination of the Lucara deal would have an impact on government’s own negotiations with HB, Masisi said government would “determine the course it would take”

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

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