Make DTCB a Diamond Hub

source: Republic of Botswana (20/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 8 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


C4) 15/6/10: Make DTCB a Diamond Hub

President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) says regional countries mining diamonds should consider making Diamond Training Company Botswana (DTCB) a centre for diamond processing in the region.

Speaking at a press brief after a two day official visit to Botswana recently, President Joseph Kabila said instead of the different diamond mining countries building facilities such as those of DTCB they could cut costs by making DTCB a hub for diamond processing.

"I just learnt that DTCB's vision is to ultimately achieve that, and since we have a couple of countries mining diamonds in the region like Namibia, Zimbabwe and the DRC, I believe as SADC countries we could support that when it happens," he said.

With his country being the largest diamond producing country in the world, President Kabila said DTCB is an encouraging move by Botswana and a good setup in terms of diamond processing.

Prior to that when welcoming the visiting President to DTCB, the deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Jacob

Thamage said diamonds continue to make a significant contribution to Botswana's economy and it is both fitting and relevant that Botswana develops a thriving diamond centre.

"Becoming a leading diamond centre would be a major achievement not just for us as a country but for the African continent as well.

We therefore need other African countries to support this undertaking because it is essentially a continental development project," he said.

Mr Thamage explained that their objective is to create a competitive and sustainable diamond industry in Botswana as well as to create employment opportunities and transfer the relevant diamond skills to citizens. BOPA