Construction has begun on a dedicated diamond trading facility at the Diamond Technology Park in Gaborone, Botswana, the Mmegi.bw new website reports.

The diamond tender house is expected to be operational by the first half of 2012.

The diamond technology park, an initiative of DTC sightholder Safdico, comprises 1,410 square meters and in addition to the tender facility is planned to comprise rough diamond sorting rooms; viewing rooms, management offices, and a lab.

Establishment of the trading facility marks the next step in making Botswana an international hub for trade in rough and polished diamonds, said DTP CEO Rutang Moses. “’DTP anticipates this project will encourage diamond producers to sell their production in Botswana, offering diamonds to the newly established cutting industry,” Moses added.