Philippe Mellier to speak on ‘relationships and industry growth’ at Gaborone

De Beers is organising a dinner in Gaborone with an attendance of senior representatives from the government of the Republic of Botswana, De Beers Sightholders and leading figures of the Gaborone business community. On this occasion, Philippe Mellier, CEO, De Beers Group will share with the audience, the company’s outlook of ‘Relationships are key to success in the diamond industry’.

Mr. Mellier will speak on the company’s focus of relationships in three aspects – with Botswana, sightholders and consumers. His talk seeks to filter the thought that the industry must “build on the firm foundations we have established, continue to invest in the outstanding relationships that have brought us so far and ensure we keep on working together for our mutual benefit”.

The company views its relation with Botswana as an ‘outstanding relationship’ over 40 years and the relocation of De Beers’ international sightholder sales activity last year is helping stimulate economic activity and created a new identity for the country from being just a diamond producing nation into a key centre for rough diamond trading.

De Beers is also keen to strengthen its future relations with its sightholders with adopting new approaches taking into account the sightholders’ views. Mr. Mellier will touch upon the third aspect of ‘relationships’ which is with the consumers in that “Ultimately, a consumer’s desire for diamonds is the only true source of value in the industry”.

Mr. Mellier notes the outlook for diamond jewellery industry to be more positive this year, as positive signs come from the U.S., China.

The dinner takes place during the first De Beers Sight (selling event) of 2014.