At Botswana Diamond Night in Yokohama, Japan, Botswana’s Vice President, Lt Gen. Mompati Merafhe stated that his country is proud to be the main supplier of diamonds for De Beers’ Forevermark standard.
General Merafhe said that Botswana’s diamonds were mined according to the highest standards and revenue generated from the sale of diamonds has helped transform the country.
Noting that the country refers to its diamonds as “development diamonds,” General Merafhe stated that the industry has made a crucial contribution to Botswana’s economic development.
In his speech, Merafhe attributed achievements in the diamond industry to prudent policies in the management of Botswana’s natural resources. He added that good progress has been made in the endeavor to add value to the diamonds.
In this regard, he noted that a major milestone had been achieved with the establishment of the Diamond Trading Company of Botswana.
Referring to the Japanese jewelry industry, Vice President Merafhe said that Japanese jewelry manufacturers are now doing business directly with Botswana. “We are proud of these achievements and of the support given to us by Japan as the world’s second largest market for diamonds,” he said.
Botswana currently produces in excess of 30 million carats of diamonds annually.
