GABORONE - Entrepreneurs have been called to take advantage of unlimited investment opportunities available in the diamond industry brought by beneficiation and expansion of Jwaneng Mine.

Speaking during the Global Expo business forum at the Pavillion last week, the Coordinator of Diamond Hub Dr Akolang Tombale said there were opportunities for citizens in Diamond Hub projects.

He said government was willing to assist Batswana in setting up cottage industries, where locals working in established diamond cutting and polishing firms are encouraged to set up their own industries after acquiring necessary skills and technological knowledge.

Other opportunities are in the servicing of equipment used by the diamond cutting and polishing industries, and he said already they have identified a local entrepreneur who has linked with an international company from Antwerp, Belgium.

Dr Tombale encouraged citizen entrepreneurs especially the youths to take advantage of opportunities that exist in the Diamond Hub.

For his part, Jwaneng mine general manager, the world's most valuable diamond mine, said the expansion of the mine called Cut 8 has unlimited opportunities as 700 million tonnes of earth has to be removed which will result with the restricting of the mine operations and buildings.

Mr Balisi Buyongo said they were evaluating 101 companies, which had submitted their bids to be considered for the three year P3.7 billion.

He said these companies have already registered with them, and invited other companies not already in their database to register as soon as possible.

The Jwaneng GM explained that due to the magnitude of the project, evaluating standards would be very high.

He said this means there are opportunities in earthmoving and construction, saying one of the buildings they need is the wash plant as they are expanding their fleet from 24 to 81.

Furthermore, the mine would need additional accommodation in the township and to this Mr Buyongo said it presented more opportunities. Mr Buyongo said Debswana was also looking for funding opportunities and added they recently met with chief executive officers of local financial institutions hoping to source funding as the global economic meltdown has negatively impacted the company.

He said 1 000 new jobs would be created further adding value to the economy of Jwaneng township and the country 's economy as a whole. BOPA