Media OutReach
Government of the Republic of Botswana And De Beers Group Confirm Diamond Partnership For The Next Generation
Transformational agreements boost Botswana’s economic development potential and secure De Beers’ long-term share in world’s greatest diamond resources
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 February 2025 – The Government of the Republic of Botswana (the “Government of Botswana”) and De Beers Group (“De Beers”) announced that, following the conclusion of negotiations announced on 3 February 2025, the two partners have now signed the formal new agreements for a 10-year Sales Agreement (which may be extended by a further 5 years) and a 25-year extension of the Mining Licences (from 2029 through to 2054) for the 50:50 Debswana mining joint venture.
Honourable Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, Minister of Minerals and Energy for Botswana, said: “We are proud to announce the signing of this landmark new agreement, which will underpin the success of our diamond industry as we enter an exciting new phase of Botswana’s sustainable economic development. We hope that these agreements will bring some level of stability and rebuild market confidence in the diamond industry. We are looking forward to our renewed partnership with De Beers; together we will drive development through diamonds and build a brighter future for Batswana.”
Al Cook, Chief Executive Officer of De Beers Group, said: “These are groundbreaking agreements. The half-century partnership between the Government of Botswana and De Beers is considered the greatest public-private partnership in the world. Now we are both extending and improving it. For De Beers, it is a privilege to secure our ongoing participation in the world’s greatest diamond resources for decades to come. I am also extremely proud that through the Diamonds for Development Fund, we can further transform opportunities for the people of the world’s leading diamond country.”
In summary, the formal agreements represent:
- A 25-year extension of the Debswana mining licences from August 2029 to July 2054. This will enable the Debswana joint venture to deliver long-term value from its existing mining assets and mine life extension projects beyond the current mining licence period. Mine life extension projects include Jwaneng Cut-9, Jwaneng Underground and Orapa Cut-3.
- A renewed 10-year Sales Agreement for Debswana’s rough diamond production, with a further five-year extension period where certain criteria are met. Under the renewed Sales Agreement, the Government of Botswana’s rough diamond sales company, Okavango Diamond Company (“ODC”), will sell 30% and De Beers will sell 70% of Debswana’s production for the first five years; for the subsequent five years ODC will sell 40% and De Beers will sell 60% of Debswana’s production; and both parties will sell a 50% share for the five-year extension period. As part of this arrangement, De Beers and ODC have also both committed to supply diamonds for beneficiation in Botswana in line with their share of Debswana supply.
In addition, a transformational package of commitments focused on supporting Botswana’s economic development objectives and advancement of the diamond industry has been agreed, including:
- The creation of the Diamonds for Development Fund to support economic growth, diversification and jobs in Botswana in line with Botswana’s Vision 2036 and National Development Plan. De Beers has committed to an upfront investment of BWP 1 billion (c. $75 million) and further annual contributions from its dividends from Debswana, based on Debswana’s performance.
- A package of initiatives to be undertaken by De Beers designed to enhance local beneficiation of diamonds and increase participation of the people of Botswana in the diamond industry. These include investment in a diamond jewellery manufacturing facility, establishment of a De Beers Institute of Diamonds grading laboratory and starting up a diamond vocational training institute in collaboration with industry partners.
- Co-investment by the Government of Botswana and De Beers in marketing initiatives to boost diamond demand. The marketing investments will be for category and other marketing programmes, agreed annually, aimed at stimulating rough diamond sales, protecting the ethical integrity of diamonds, and to maintain and build consumer confidence in the product. De Beers and the Government of Botswana have committed to co-invest over the life of the Sales Agreement and in proportion to their relative shares of Debswana supply.
Hashtag: #DeBeersGroup #Debswana #Botswana
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About Botswana
Botswana, a thriving democracy, is located in Southern Africa. It is the topmost producer of diamonds by value. Botswana is renowned for the rule of law, including respect for property rights. Heralded for its ease of doing business in the mining sector, it is by no coincidence that it is a premier investment destination for mining.
The Botswana government has placed a strong emphasis on effective management of its diamond resources, recognizing their pivotal role in the nation’s economic development. By exercising careful oversight and strategic partnerships, Botswana maximises revenue from diamond sales, strengthening its position as a key player in the global diamond market and ensuring that these valuable resources drive sustainable socio-economic growth. With a focus on sustainable practices, the government is dedicated to ensuring that the wealth generated from diamond mining contributes significantly to the welfare of its citizens. Revenue from these sales is strategically reinvested to foster growth, infrastructure development, and social programmes, ultimately positioning Botswana as a stable and prosperous socio-economic hub in the region. This commitment underscores the government’s vision of enhancing the livelihoods of its people while promoting overall national prosperity, thereby solidifying Botswana’s reputation as a forward-thinking and resilient nation in the face of global economic challenges.
About De Beers Group
Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group’s strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology services. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.
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Media OutReach
2nd MOTIFX – Embracing the Beauty of Chinese Culture Culture to Nature – A Surreal Garden of Botanical Patterns
Organised by the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) under the Vocational Training Council (VTC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), MOTIFX invites emerging designers to reinterpret traditional Chinese motifs for contemporary contexts, seamlessly integrating historical patterns into modern objects, interiors, and lifestyle products while deepening new generations’ engagement with their cultural heritage.
The 2nd MOTIFX – Embracing the Beauty of Chinese Culture invites designers to explore the mystical side of Chinese characters, with a particular focus on Radical Grass (艹 / 艸) and its evocative connection to a surreal world of nature. While respectfully acknowledging the cultural and philosophical differences between Eastern and Western traditions, the project embraces nature’s whimsy and dreamlike beauty with open delight
This inspiration gives birth to the central theme: Culture to Nature – A Surreal Garden of Botanical Patterns. Curated by Michael LEUNG, the exhibition brings together numerous design students and local designers who are in studies across diverse disciplines to rediscover the vibrant potential of Chinese characters. In doing so, it redefines the relationship between cultural heritage and the natural world, resulting in an imaginative collection of patterns and design works that vividly capture the theme.
A key highlight is the immersive installation Surreal Garden, created by designers Moon.noon and Stickyline. Inspired by “Radical Grass” motifs designed by these young creatives, the duo transforms two-dimensional patterns into a multi-sensory experience. Visitors move seamlessly from the physical space into a digital dreamscape, journeying through the four seasons guided by the 24 traditional solar terms — from the blossoming of spring to the retreat of winter — tracing the boundless rhythms of nature.
This surreal journey continues throughout the exhibition, which showcases over 100 original patterns created by local design students, each derived from the 艹 radical. Like countless flowers blooming in a shared field, these works express diverse creative voices, yet all are rooted in the same ancient, ever-living origin — the enduring 艹 .
DesignInspire 2025 was transformed into this fantastical garden woven from Chinese characters and nature’s boundless poetry — and let your imagination take flight.
Curator: Michael LEUNG
Born in Hong Kong, Michael LEUNG earned his Master’s degree from Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands, where he later founded Studio AA (previously MIRO). His practice spans graphic, product, and spatial design, often exploring the intersections of craftsmanship and industry, local culture, and sustainability. Recipient of the Hong Kong Young Design Talent Award and Perspective 40 Under 40, his work has been showcased at Milan Design Week, Dutch Design Week, and other major international exhibitions. In recent years, he has collaborated with institutions such as the Vitra Design Museum (Germany) and the V&A (UK), extending his creative vision into exhibition curation.
Participating Artist: Moon.noon
Moon.noon (KONG Fan-leung) is a real-time visual artist who masterfully blends data-driven storytelling with immersive audio-visual and sensory experiences. A former user-experience designer, he now transforms complex sources — climate data, urban landscapes, audience interaction — into powerfully evocative visual languages. His works have appeared at M+, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, West Kowloon Freespace Jazz Festival, and in collaborations with Coca-Cola, LG, and Samsung.
Participating Artist: STICKYLINE
Founded in 2011 by Hong Kong creative artists Mic LEONG and Soilworm LAI, STICKYLINE is celebrated for its large-scale polyhedral sculptures that reveal the beauty of creative engineering, mathematics, and geometry. Working primarily with paper and metal, and integrating kinetics, sound, and light, the duo produces minimalist, durable, and strikingly futuristic installations, site-specific works, and private commissions that have earned widespread acclaim in the design world over the years.
Moroso × HKDI Furniture Collaboration Project
The exhibition showcases a creative collaboration between renowned Italian luxury furniture brand Moroso and design students from the HKDI’s Department of Architecture, Interior and Product Design (AIP). Together, they present the forward-looking project with MOTIFX patterns printed on the fabrics to “Designing Clothes for Furniture Objects.”
This initiative reimagines furniture as living bodies to be dressed, where textiles and soft elements become expressive garments. Moving beyond surface aesthetics, students explore adaptability, sensory depth, and emotional resonance, while engaging with ideas of circularity, modularity, and service-oriented design. The design challenge invites them to create interchangeable and upgradeable “furniture garments” that respond to personal habits, environments, and even special occasions.
Event Details:
The 2nd MOTIFX – Embracing the Beauty of Chinese Culture Exhibition at DESIGNINSPIRE 2025
Date : 4 Dec – 6 Dec, 2025
Time : 9:30am-7:30pm
Venue : Booth no. 3E-D02, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
The 2nd MOTIFX – Embracing the Beauty of Chinese Culture Exhibition
Date : 3 Mar – 31 Mar, 2026
Time : 10:30AM – 7:30PM (Monday to Sunday)
Venue : 2/F, LANDMARK ATRIUM
The 2nd MOTIFX – Embracing the Beauty of Chinese Culture Exhibition at FASHION INSTYLE, HOME INSTYLE EXHIBITION 2026
Date : 27 Apr – 30 Apr, 2026
Time : 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Venue : Concourse Area, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Hashtag: #MOTIFX
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Vocational Training Council (VTC)
Established in 1982, the Vocational Training Council (VTC) is the largest vocational and professional education and training provider in Hong Kong. The mission of VTC is to provide a valued choice to school leavers and working people to acquire the values, knowledge and skills for lifelong learning and enhanced employability, and also to provide support to industries for their manpower development. VTC has 14 member institutions, namely the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), the Institute of Professional Education And Knowledge (PEAK), the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE), the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT), the Hotel and Tourism Institute (HTI), the Chinese Culinary Institute (CCI), the International Culinary Institute (ICI), the Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI), Youth College, Pro-Act by VTC, the Integrated Vocational Development Centre (IVDC) and the Shine Skills Centre.
Website: 
www.vtc.edu.hk
About Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI)
Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) is a member of VTC Group. HKDI was established in 2007 with the mission to be a leading provider of design education and lifelong learning, including architecture, interior and product design, communication design, digital media, and fashion and image design. With a view to providing professional designers for the creative industries, it promotes the “think and do” approach and encourages interdisciplinary synergy in its broad range of design programmes that cultivates students’ cultural sensitivities and sense of sustainability. HKDI maintains a strong network with industry and provides its students with essential practical experience. Overseas exchanges are actively arranged for students to broaden their international perspective.
Website: http://www.hkdi.edu.hk
Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.
Media OutReach
InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay Strengthens Guest Experiences Through The Quay Insider Programme
The Story Behind The Quay Insider
Introduced in early 2025 as part of the InterContinental brand’s hallmark of “Insider Expertise”, The Quay Insider embodies InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay’s commitment to connecting travellers with the authentic and lesser-known sides of Singapore. This comes to life through partnerships with local brands around the neighbourhood, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant culture and storied heritage.
Crafting Experiences For Every Traveller
The Quay Insider has been thoughtfully designed to cater to a variety of traveller interests. The Cultural Enthusiast seeks authentic immersion, connecting with the heart of a destination through its local flavours, rich heritage and timeless stories. The Creative Wanderer discovers rare and remarkable experiences, from curated dining journeys to artisanal craftsmanship, that reflect bold individuality. The Wellness Seeker pursues balance amidst the rhythm of modern life, choosing mindful experiences that uplift and rejuvenate. By aligning curated privileges with these personas, The Quay Insider ensures that each guest’s journey is both enriching and personalised.
For business travellers, The Quay Insider privileges are crafted to enhance the comfort and convenience of the hotel’s luxury suites, seamlessly balancing work with moments of relaxation. For leisure guests, the programme allows them to immerse themselves in the precinct’s rich cultural and heritage experiences that have shaped Singapore into the city it is today. By fostering experiential travel, The Quay Insider transforms each stay into a journey of discovery, with curated local encounters that add depth and distinction to every visit.
Curating Our Neighbourhood Partners
Over 25 partners were curated for their commitment to authenticity, alignment with guest interests, and exceptional quality. Spanning independent designers, art collectives, wellness studios, and award-winning restaurants, these partnerships offer guests privileges ranging from complimentary additions with purchase and curated cultural tours to bespoke wellness and dining experiences that are tailored to each individual’s interests.
The programme spotlights local businesses and tour operators to support sustainable tourism through preservation of the creative, heritage and cultural identity of Robertson Quay. By connecting guests with local experiences around the neighbourhood, it reinforces InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay’s positioning as both a luxury riverfront haven and a gateway to the neighbourhood’s heritage rhythm and cultural vibrancy.
Creating Meaningful Connections Beyond The Stay
From culinary experiences and cultural explorations to moments of rest and wellness, The Quay Insider complements the hotel stay by introducing guests to lesser-known aspects of Singapore’s dining, culture, and wellbeing scene. It helps leisure travellers discover local highlights and offers business travellers experiential travel opportunities to relax and explore nearby, all within easy reach of the hotel.
“The Quay Insider invites guests to experience more than just a stay,” shared Kieran Quinn, General Manager, InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay. “It connects them to the heart of Robertson Quay through meaningful partnerships with community partners in the neighbourhood, enriching guest experiences while helping to support the local community.”
Building The Next Chapter Of Hospitality
InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay remains committed to sustaining long-term partnerships within the community, supported by dedicated communication efforts that keep guests informed of the privileges available through The Quay Insider. Renewed annually, this ensures the programme stays attuned to evolving guest interests and the growing demand for meaningful, experiential travel.
Moving forward, the hotel is also exploring more collaborations across the precinct to further expand the scope of insider experiences. These initiatives aim to introduce both international travellers and local guests, including those booking a staycation package in Singapore, to a wider range of experiences. As such, the programme can continue to evolve in line with the needs and aspirations of today’s travellers. This allows InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay to weave local experiences seamlessly into every guest’s stay experience.
Hotel Positioning
Alongside The Quay Insider, InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay maintains its positioning as a luxury lifestyle hotel for modern travellers. Its residential-inspired design complements the experiential travel focus of the programme, offering guests the combination of contemporary comfort and immediate access to local culture.
The introduction of the programme sets the hotel apart by embedding cultural engagement seamlessly into the guest journey. Both leisure and business travellers may enjoy a hospitality experience that weaves meaningful experiences around the neighbourhood, together with the refined luxury of InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay.
Hashtag: #InterContinentalSingaporeRobertsonQuay #TheQuayInsider #CondéNastReadersChoice2025
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay
InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay is a luxury hotel nestled in the heart of Singapore’s newest micro-destination. Situated on the banks of the Singapore River at one of the most exclusive addresses, InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay is a ripe host of thoughtful amenities and personalised services.
The 225 studios and suites are reminiscent of a private residence, surrounded by vibrant dining options, art houses and heritage sites, with the CBD located just 5 minutes away. The sleek urban property reflects the neighbourhood’s industrial past with modern, contemporary finishes complemented by outdoor terraces boasting river views.
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