Debswana is "very optimistic" about recovery on the diamond market and hopes the improvement in sales recorded recently will last.
Speaking this week as the company celebrated its 40th anniversary, the parastatal's Group Public and Corporate Affairs Manager Esther Kanaimba said "our sales partners are reporting an increase in sales, which makes us very optimistic that there is an improvement".
Kanaimba said the global recession had compelled the company into production cuts and shutdowns at some of its mines. She said Debswana was now putting money where it was most needed; hence, instead of commemorating its 40th anniversary with lavish celebrations, it was doing so with events that benefited the community.
June 23 is Debswana Day. This year the parastatal celebrated under the theme "Our Diamond, Our Pride". It is airing a documentary on Btv which discusses the history of the diamond industry in Botswana.
The Chairman of the Debswana Board of Directors, Eric Molale said the parastatal had given impetus to Botswana's economy and that it took pride in being the biggest producer of diamonds in the world.
"We have been recording production of just over 30 million carats since 2003, up from 24 million carats in the previous years," said Kanaimba, adding that the next issue of the company's magazine, Phatsimo, will be a special edition on the 40th anniversary.
The company will also celebrate with the opening of the Centre for Blind Education in Mahalapye and of the Serowe SOS Children's Village that the company helped build.
Debswana also contributes directly to business development through the use of goods and services provided by various businesses based in Botswana.
"In addition, through Peo Venture Capital, a partnership between De Beers Botswana and Debswana, we have managed to empower citizens through the development of commercially viable businesses in Botswana," Molale said.
The company has recorded a Corporate Social Investment of P677 million.
"Debswana remains committed to lending a hand to improve the welfare of Batswana," he said. "Over the years, we have contributed in a number of ways to various organisations, individuals, schools and so forth, to provide services and assistance ranging from R154, 120.00 between 1971 and 1976, to P677 million between 1977 and 2009."
Molale commended Debswana's past and present employees for having made tremendous sacrifices for the company through "stay-in" business strategies that have kept the company afloat.
Debswana is "very optimistic" about recovery on the diamond market and hopes the improvement in sales recorded recently will last.
Speaking this week as the company celebrated its 40th anniversary, the parastatal's Group Public and Corporate Affairs Manager Esther Kanaimba said "our sales partners are reporting an increase in sales, which makes us very optimistic that there is an improvement".
Kanaimba said the global recession had compelled the company into production cuts and shutdowns at some of its mines. She said Debswana was now putting money where it was most needed; hence, instead of commemorating its 40th anniversary with lavish celebrations, it was doing so with events that benefited the community.
June 23 is Debswana Day. This year the parastatal celebrated under the theme "Our Diamond, Our Pride". It is airing a documentary on Btv which discusses the history of the diamond industry in Botswana.
The Chairman of the Debswana Board of Directors, Eric Molale said the parastatal had given impetus to Botswana's economy and that it took pride in being the biggest producer of diamonds in the world.
"We have been recording production of just over 30 million carats since 2003, up from 24 million carats in the previous years," said Kanaimba, adding that the next issue of the company's magazine, Phatsimo, will be a special edition on the 40th anniversary.
The company will also celebrate with the opening of the Centre for Blind Education in Mahalapye and of the Serowe SOS Children's Village that the company helped build.
Debswana also contributes directly to business development through the use of goods and services provided by various businesses based in Botswana.
"In addition, through Peo Venture Capital, a partnership between De Beers Botswana and Debswana, we have managed to empower citizens through the development of commercially viable businesses in Botswana," Molale said.
The company has recorded a Corporate Social Investment of P677 million.
"Debswana remains committed to lending a hand to improve the welfare of Batswana," he said. "Over the years, we have contributed in a number of ways to various organisations, individuals, schools and so forth, to provide services and assistance ranging from R154, 120.00 between 1971 and 1976, to P677 million between 1977 and 2009."
Molale commended Debswana's past and present employees for having made tremendous sacrifices for the company through "stay-in" business strategies that have kept the company afloat.
