Shkadov: Smolensk Kristall Interested in More Activities in Botswana

(IDEX Online) – Russian polishing company Smolensk Kristall is interested in expanding its activities in Botswana, General Director and CEO Maxim Shkadov said during a visit to the country.

Shkadov, who is also President of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA), made the comments at an event attended by representatives of the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources of Botswana, the President’s Administration, Okavango Diamond Company and De Beers.

Botswana, which has taken steps to beneficiate its diamonds, is interested in benefiting from Kristall's 50 years of experience in the area of diamond processing, the company said in a statement.

Shkadov said, “Kristall is interested in widening co-operation, and is ready to share its expertise and technologies, arrange personnel training, deliver equipment and organize its service maintenance in Botswana.”

Shkadov also visited the new De Beers operations in Gaborone, and met Paul Rowley, Executive Vice President of De Beers Global Sightholder Sales. The two discussed possible further co-operation, the company said, as well as other matters such as the absence of global generic diamond marketing.

Kristall has been a De Beers sightholder for more than 15 years.