Diamond crunch raises new, scary questions
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 | 920 Views |
Rough diamond sales, prices and revenues are down this year, in certain cases by double digit percentages, a fact being keenly monitored by the Finance Ministry which has said it stands ready to slash the growth forecast and up the expected budget deficit.
The crisis building for rough producers such as Botswana has largely been caused by high inventory levels of polished diamonds in the midstream, that section of the diamond pipeline occupied by cutters and polishers, who buy from mines and sell to jewellers.
The Ministry of Agriculture, local producers, retailers, and industry associations must work together to overcome the obstacles hindering vegetable production and distribution.This collaborative approach is essential to improve the availability, quality, and affordability of vegetables in the market.Firstly, the Ministry of Agriculture should provide support and guidance to local farmers to enhance their productivity and efficiency. This could...