22 May 2014

Botswana is the 2014 Global Diamond Industry Achievement Award winner owing to the country’s effective management of diamonds.

The recognition comes from the US- based Diamond Empowerment Fund and the Minister for Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr kitso Mokaila will receive the award  while on official trip to the US and UK . His trip starts on Sunday May 25.

A statement from Mr Mokaila’s ministry says  the award is in recognition of Botswana’s management of its diamond resources and how it has used them to develop itself from a third world  to a middle income economy.

According to the press release, while in US, the minister will visit Las Vegas and New York where he will visit some diamond companies who have operations in Botswana.

It says Minister Mokaila will also have the opportunity to brief Batswana residing in New York on developments in his portfolio ministry.

From New York, the minister will travel to Las Vegas where he will attend the JCK Las Vegas Jewellery show, the world’s largest jewellery show and a barometer for the year’s performance of the diamond jewellery industry, states the release.

Minister Mokaila will also make a presentation on Botswana as an emerging diamond centre at the Raparport Breakfast attended by about 500 USA jewellery retailers and diamaintaires on June 01, 2014.

From USA, the minister will go to London and attend the United Kingdom Clean Energy Finance summit on June 4, 2014 at the invitation of the British Commissioner for Gaborone, states the release.

It says that on June 3, 2014, he will meet International Energy Agency (IEA) Clean Coal Centre to explore possible areas of collaboration in coal development. Minister Mokaila and his entourage are expected back home on June 6, states the release. ENDS