Safdico Botswana and Diamond Technology Park (DTP) director and CEO, Rutang Moses has credited the company’s President Seretse Khama Ian Khama, to the organisation’s visionary leadership in identifying an opportunity to be part of the creation of the diamond industry and contribution towards the government’s vision to transform the country from being the largest producer of diamonds to a leading international diamond center.

During the 48th Botswana Independence Day Celebrations, Moses’ company was awarded “The Presidential Order of Meritorious Services (PMS)”, an honor awarded to any person for actions or services benefiting Botswana or any community or organization therein any particular field or sphere and for acts of courage or devotion to duty.

President Khama bestowed the awards to twenty five outstanding women and men, including two organizations for their varied contributions to the nation. Safdico Botswana was one of the two organizations.

“I am humbled by the recognition and feel incredibility excited to be part of a company with such great repute and that continues to execute projects that addresses the need for Botswana’s diamond industry through the expansion of the Diamond Technology Park (DTP).” said Moses.

Safdico Botswana was honored for making a crucial contribution to Botswana by taking the initiative of establishing the Diamond Technology Park (DTP) in 2008 as diamond centre which has become a critical component to the success of the relocation of De Beers Global Sales from London to Gaborone in November 2013.

The diamond relocation has resulted in further growth of the diamond industry and demand for more office space. Therefore, the DTP has responded by expanding further with “Building 4”, a 4000 square meters of rentable office space and scheduled for completion end of 2014 with the majority of its space already pre-let to industry leaders.

Safdico Botswana has always anticipated the diamond industry growth and responded with new developments to satisfy demand for increased office and manufacturing space. DTP plays a pivotal role in utilizing private sector flexibility and speed to address diamond industry’s on-going needs and has placed Botswana at the top of the diamond technology curve. The DTP has consolidated the diamond industry in an efficient and secure environment.

Diamond Technology Park was planned and built in a phased development in line with the growth of Botswana diamond industry. The first phase (building 1 “the Courtyard” and 2 “the Atrium”) was developed as Industrial Buildings and Office to accommodate downstream diamond businesses.

As Botswana moved further downstream, in 2012 DTP expanded into its second phase with the development of building 3 “the Bourse” that houses prolific tender houses and additional office space. The tender facilities has provided a comprehensive solution to encourage diamond tenders to take place in Botswana and facilitated the development of a dynamic secondary dealing industry.

The DTP attracts Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by encouraging diamond companies from both local and international markets including support services to participate in Botswana. It addresses Botswana’s need for employment creation, skills development and beneficiation, over 800 people are employed at the DTP, with further 200 people working on the relevant construction sites at all times. DTP also facilitates local suppliers such as catering companies, landscapers, security companies etc.

“I credit this award to Safdico Botswana’s success in leveraging off the Safdico International Group business model to build competency, technology and skills to polish top end diamonds in Botswana and establish a state-of-the-art diamond center. We commit to ensure that our people continue to grow as best assets by global standards to execute Safdico strategies that supports Botswana,” Moses noted. (Source: BWgovernment)