01 Feb 2024

Botswana, the world’s leading producer of diamonds by value, is well poised to be the centre of international diamond trade as the country has a clean record of ensuring its diamonds are ethically mined and mineral revenue is used for development.

This was articulated by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi when welcoming the new Ambassador of Belgium to Botswana, Mr Paul Jansen, who presented his letters of credence at the Office of the President yesterday to mark the commencement of his diplomatic tour of duty.

Dr Masisi told the Belgian envoy that no other country on earth placed a great premium on diamond trade than Botswana, as the country’s developmental trajectory had been underpinned by the sector, and as such the country always ensured the gemstone trade was untainted.

“Botswana diamonds are surgically clean, we will never allow our diamonds to be contaminated. Botswana is diamonds, and diamonds are us,” President Masisi said, adding that the country had made progress in establishing itself as a diamond centre.

Among the partnerships forged was with the Belgian diamond company, HB Antwerp investing in a diamond cutting and polishing plant in Gaborone with  government as a partner. Dr Masisi  urged Mr Jansen to regularly interact with the local diamond industry.

President Masisi said Botswana and Belgium had strong relations borne out of having shared values including a commitment to the rule of law, democracy and multilateralism. 

He said the diplomatic ties had developed from the mid-1970s and that trade links were forged from the time Botswana exported beef to the then European Economic Community, forerunner to the European Union.

Dr Masisi said Botswana continued to produce quality beef from cattle raised in free range conditions. 

He noted that he had met the Belgian head of state, King Philippe during his last state visit to Belgium, and had encountered Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo on three occasions in recent years, and that both were designated by the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) as Global Champions for Generations Unlimited, an initiative to empower young people.

For his part, Ambassador Jansen said his country, which had a strong diamond cutting, polishing and jewellery trade largely in the city of Antwerp, was interested in forging dialogue with Botswana and other Southern Africa diamond producer states on matters related to the industry.

He reiterated that the two countries shared common values, saying he would explore areas of common interest to further boost relations and trade between the two.

Also presenting diplomatic credentials to President Masisi on the same day, Ambassador Roland Beridze of Georgia pledged to work towards exploring  opportunities for boosting trade between Botswana and his country, located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and West Asia.

He said removing travel restrictions by abolishing visa requirements for citizens of both countries would assist in strengthening economic and political ties. 

Ambassador Beridze further said he was interested in looking at the possibilities of partnerships in the arts and culture field.

President Masisi on the other hand commended Georgia for economic progress. He said the two countries could further explore cooperation in fields such as health, education, science and the environment.

He welcomed Ambassador Beridze, saying his educational background and diplomatic experience made him a high calibre diplomat well suited for strengthening bilateral ties between the two states. ENDS