Beneficiation’s Contribution Examined at IDMA Meeting
April 06, 11The contribution of diamond polishing facilities to Botswana's economy was examined at IDMA's meeting |
The discussion was part of the Presidents' Meeting of the International Diamond Manufacturers (IDMA) held this week in Gaborone, co-moderated by Letsema Mbayi, a doctoral student from Botswana who is writing her PhD thesis on beneficiation, and industry analyst Chaim Even Zohar.
Most speakers recognized that the 16 diamond factories in the country, which employ some 3,000 direct production workers, have developed solely based on rough diamond availability rather than for its international competitiveness.
“The IDMA meeting in Botswana is expected to deepen the Batswana people and government understanding of the complexities and challenges of diamond manufacturing and the need for factories to operate within internationally, vertically organized value chains,” IDMA said in a release.
Attendees, including industry analysts and academics, discussed and presented their ideas on how to build sustainable beneficiation of diamonds in Botswana.
In his opening address, IDMA President Moti Ganz said, "We're gathering in Botswana because we believe a competitive diamond industry and trade can be developed here in the future. The Pitso offered our organization's members a first opportunity for an exchange of views and I believe this event has been a true eye opener for many of our peers."
Among the speakers were Dr. P.H.K. Kedikilwe, Minister of Minerals Energy and Water Resources; Varda Shine, CEO of DTC; Victor van der Kwast, head of the International Diamond and Jewellery Group of ABN Amro; Arik Sela, CEO of I. Hennig, which co-sponsored the discussion, and Jacob Thamage, coordinator of the Diamond Hub of the Botswana Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources.
The IDMA meeting in Botswana is expected to deepen the Batswana people and government understanding of the complexities and challenges of diamond manufacturing and the need for factories to operate within internationally, vertically organized value chains, the organization said today.