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Botswana's ODC looks for $300 million loans for diamond purchases

Botswana's stateowned Okavango Diamond Business (ODC) looks for a $300 million credit facility from local banks to support larger volumes of diamond purchases, Finance Minister Peggy Serame stated on Thursday.

ODC, established in 2012 as an independent window for the federal government to sell diamonds beyond the De Beers channel, presently gets 25% of its production from Debswana, a joint endeavor in between Botswana and Anglo American's De Beers.

In June in 2015 Botswana and De Beers agreed a new 10-year diamond sales arrangement, which will see ODC's share of Debswana output increase to 30% initially and then increase slowly to 50%. by the end of the deal, as the country looks for to get more revenue. from its resources.

Following the maturity of a $140 million working capital. facility in 2023, Serame said ODC has appointed Standard. Chartered Bank to structure and collaborate a brand-new $300. million syndicated revolving working capital facility.

ODC is currently just able to afford purchases up to $70. million using its own cash reserves, Serame informed lawmakers as. she looked for approval for a $175 million government warranty for. the new credit center.

The $175 million government guarantee will crucially. support ODC's increased entitlement of 30% to Debswana's rough. supply, in addition to help the business in working out beneficial. rates in the regional market on a new working capital facility,. Serame stated.

The diamond market is presently going through a market. slump which has seen sales at Debswana fall 49% in the first. half of the year.

In October in 2015, ODC momentarily stopped its rough sales. as part of an industry wide drive to lower the excess of. inventory in the cutting and polishing industry caused by weaker. worldwide demand for jewellery.

The diamond industry is anticipated to start recuperating from. the effect of weak global need during the fourth quarter of. 2024, Serame said, and accessibility of the credit facility would. put ODC in position to gain from the healing.

(source: Reuters)