Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi is optimistic the diamond industry in his country is on a recovery path despite the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected sales of diamonds globally.
“The United States of America, China and Europe have started showing signs of recovery which gives us hope that by December 2020 the diamond market will stabilize,” said Masisi on Monday while delivering the state of the nation address.
He said government has granted short-term permits to local diamond companies to conduct sales outside the country, as a means to stimulate diamond sales.
The President said the permits will be valid until the end of December 2020.
Masisi further highlighted that his government has developed a beneficiation strategy to facilitate citizen participation in the downstream diamond industry.
Meanwhile, the President has indicated that the local mining industry is continuing with some of the strategic projects such as Jwaneng Mine Cut 9, Morupule open cast, Khoemacau mine development and Karowe underground diamond mine.
