Botswana’s ambition of becoming a leading diamond trading centre is gaining momentum as seen by the latest trade data for September, which shows the amount of rough diamonds coming into the country.

Statistics Botswana revealed in its latest Botswana International Merchandise Trade Statistics that composition of imports by principal commodities for September 2013 shows that diamonds contributed 40.4 percent (P2, 525.3 million) to total imports (P6, 243.7 million) during the month.

“It should be noted however that most of these diamonds imports are coming in for aggregation followed by exportation. Modalities for separating diamonds for aggregation from those imported for home consumption are still being worked out,” Statistics Botswana revealed.

Since the relocation of De Beers’ aggregation to Gaborone, facilities at DTCB and DBGSS handle stones from De Beers operations from around the world. GSS sorts and values rough diamonds from De Beers mines in Canada and sorts into De Beers’ assortment only while DTC Botswana sorts and values rough diamonds mined by Debswana and Sorts into both De Beers and Okavango Diamond Company assortments.

Meanwhile, the September 2013 total exports were valued at P6, 196.1 million, with 86.0 percent (P5, 325.6 million) attributed to exports of diamonds. The diamond trade is for both rough and polished diamonds.

Copper/Nickel exports and Meat & Meat Products contributed 6.6 percent (P409.4 million) and 1.4 percent (P89.5 million) respectively, to total exports during the month under review.

The statistics also revealed that the country still imports large volumes of fuel. Fuel made a contribution of 16.0 percent (P999.1 million) to total imports during the month. Machinery & Electrical Equipment contributed 9.8 percent (P612.8 million) followed by Food, Beverages & Tobacco with 8.4 percent (P524.5 million); Chemicals & Rubber Products made a contribution of 7.1 percent (P441.0 million); Vehicles & Transport Equipment contributed 4.5 percent (P282.3 million) while Metal & Metal Products made a contribution of 3.8 percent (P283.3 million) to total imports during September 2013.