Botswana: Diamond Hub Attracts World's Best Gemologists
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
8 October 2008
Posted to the web 9 October 2008
Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe
The co-ordinator of the Diamond Hub, Dr Akolang Tombale, is confident Botswana is on the path to becoming a world diamond center after successfully luring two of the world's largest diamond technology companies to the country.
The Diamond Hub has struck a deal with the USA's GIA (Gemological Institute of America), the world's largest and most respected non-profit institute of gemological research and learning.
Conceived 75 years ago in the tradition of Europe's most respected institutes, GIA discovers (through GIA Research), imparts (through GIA Education), and applies (through GIA Laboratory and GIA Instruments) gemological knowledge to ensure public trust in gems and jewellery.
GIA is the creator of the famous 4Cs of diamond value (colour, clarity, cut, anBAME PIETd carat weight). It is also the corporate birthplace of the International Diamond Grading System.
The company is also famous for its D-Z colour-grading scale and GIA's Flawless-I3 clarity-grading scale which are recognised by virtually every professional jeweller and savvy diamond buyer in the world. The Institute is also known for having developed and patented the first modern jeweller's loupe. "They specialise in laboratory research,"
Tombale told Business Today. "We have already registered them. They reported recently that equipment is arriving. The only thing that is holding them (back) now is completion of the Diamond Park."
Tombale has also disclosed the cominhg on board of another diamond research company, HRD Antwerp. "We have been talking with them, although it took longer to conclude the agreement," he says.
"They needed certain arrangements to be in place. Initially they registered an agent, Werner van der Endy, who has started operations. But now they are registering in Botswana as an organisation.
"They will have a grading facility and provide training in diamond-related skills and laboratory work."
Israeli diamond companies have also shown a lot of interest in the Botswana Diamond Hub. "A lot of interest is coming from Israel," says Tombale. "They have invited us to go there (to Israel) and see how their industry works.
"Already local banks have been invited also to go and see how the banking industry there manages diamond risks."A number of Indian companies are also known to be wrapping up an investment package worth over P180 million.
Relevant Links
A Mumbai business publication, Business Standard, reports that investments in Botswana's processing units will allow the firms to participate in the mining and beneficiation process, which will ultimately help them transport roughs to their cutting and polishing units back in India.
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Copyright © 2008 Mmegi/The Reporter. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
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