Rough diamonds from Debswana mines (Pic By De Beers)

The Botswana economy has continued to rely on mining sector—especially the diamond trade, new data has shown. The International Merchandise Trade Statistics (IMTS) Monthly Digest for March has revealed that diamonds still dominates goods coming and leaving the country.

The report released by Statistics Botswana noted that the March 2015 total exports were valued at P8, 352.1 million, with 88.4 percent (P7, 383.1 million) attributed to exports of diamonds.

However, the statistics body advised: “It should be noted that these values include diamonds from Diamond polishing companies as well as diamonds from the aggregation process.”

Copper Nickel contributed 4.6 percent (P380.7 million) while Machinery & Electrical Equipment contributed 2.0 percent (P166.7 million). Vehicles & Transport Equipment and Meat & Meat Products each contributed 1.0 percent to total exports during the month, at values of P85.5 million and P85.4 million respectively.

Equally, in the same period, total imports were valued at P6, 206.3 million, showing a decrease of 8.2 percent (P551.6 million) from the February 2015 value of P6, 757.9 million.

Statistics Botswana revealed that the composition of imports by principal commodities for March 2015, shows that diamonds contributed the most to total imports (P6, 206.3 million) with 29.7 percent (P1, 843.5 million), followed by Fuel with 19.8 percent (P1, 229.3 million) and Machinery & Electrical Equipment with 11.7 percent (P724.5 million). Food, Beverages & Tobacco and Vehicles & Transport Equipment each contributed 8.2 percent to total imports, with P510.2 million and P510.0 million respectively.