Mmegi

A ‘tarrific’ opportunity for Botswana

Gleaming: Minerals and Energy minister, Bogolo Kenewendo, admires a local diamond 
during a visit to the Gemological Institute of America’s local branch recently PIC: MBONGENI MGUNI
Gleaming: Minerals and Energy minister, Bogolo Kenewendo, admires a local diamond during a visit to the Gemological Institute of America’s local branch recently PIC: MBONGENI MGUNI

The global diamond world is scrambling to rearrange its traditional cutting and polishing channels amidst the disruption brought by U.S tariffs and Botswana could inadvertently become the biggest winner.

India, which accounts for 90% of cutting and polishing activities in the industry, presently has one of the highest tariffs for entry to the US at 50%, while another major centre China, has equally been hit at about 30%.

Other diamond centres such as Belgium, the United Arab Emirates and Israel, all have a range of tariffs from 17% down to 10%, while Botswana is set at 15%.

Editor's Comment
Depression is real; let's take care of our mental health

It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...

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