Business
Botswana: A country rises from sleepy backwater to global diamond hub
A regular rolling program of power cuts means hotel guests may be forced to shower in the dark and cafes unable to boil water. However, the issue of inadequate infrastructure is being rapidly addressed.
Alex Monchusi from the Chamber of Commerce says many businesses are not yet ready to take advantage of the new diamond work.
“It is very similar to a country winning the right to host the Olympic Games – you’ve got a big opportunity to host it at world standards, but you have little resources to do it, not much time to do it.”
The government, though, is confident any problems will be fixed, and it will mean a big difference.
Eric Molale, the Cabinet Secretary, says the diamond move is “a once in a lifetime opportunity” for Botswana. “The ultimate objective of the government is to create a diamond pipeline that is value adding to the nation – not just mine and sell.”
Source: BBC
