De Beers said that the region of southern Africa has become a new center of attraction for diamond trade participants, and the group's relations with sightholders were at the heart of these changes.
"Undoubtedly, these relations were the most important factor for many key events in the history of the diamond sector, acting as a catalyst for the development of beneficiation or the growth of consumer demand for diamond jewelry in emerging emerging markets," said De Beers Group CEO Philippe Mellier, , speaking at the annual reception for sightholders, which was held in the capital of Botswana Gaborone.
Last year De Beers' international sales team visited sightholders moved from London to Gaborone.
According to Mehlie, Botswana, as a key diamond producer with a growing diamond production sector, has evolved from one of the key global markets for rough diamonds.
"This not only helps to increase economic activity and ensure regular influx of successful entrepreneurs in Gaborone, but also signals to the global business community that Botswana is not only the largest diamond-mining state, it plays a much more important role," said Mellier .
Speaking to the sightholders, the head of De Beers promised to give them more flexibility and make the sightholder status more significant.
Melier noted that De Beers listened to the opinions of its clients and, if possible, would focus on simplifying procedures.
Commenting on the forecast for the diamond jewelry market, the head of De Beers said that the US economy is giving good signals, and during the holiday season there has been a noticeable improvement in demand. Mellier also reported encouraging signs confirming a positive outlook for holiday sales in China on the eve of the Chinese New Year and stable economic growth at the level of 2013 indicators.