12 Jul 2016

Namibia president, Dr Hage Geingob, has praised Botswana for its way of handling the diamond industry.

Dr Geingob, who was on a two-day state visit, toured the Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) yesterday.

He said facilities at DTCB were impressive and Namibia could learn from the diamond processing arrangement between De Beers and Okavango Diamond Company.

DTCB managing director, Mr Tabake Kobedi, said his company sourced raw diamonds from De Beers mines in Botswana through the arrangement and cuts and polishes them before selling the commodities back to De Beers and Okavango Diamond Company.

“We also have similar facilities but these are very impressive. I think we can learn from our brothers. Namibia is not a small player in the industry but we can learn from what they are doing here and get advice from them,” Dr Geingob said.

He said relationships between Botswana and Namibia had always been good and the two countries could pull together in diamond business.

“Collaboration is great, we have the best of relationships with Botswana,” he said. 

Dr Geingob also toured the Jwaneng Mine before going back home. ENDS