HB Antwerp opens Botswaa operations this December
HB Antwerp, the Belgium-based diamond company that focuses on technology-driven sourcing, analysis and cutting of diamonds, is opening in Botswana this December.
Known as Genesis HB Botswana, the Gaborone-based company housed at the Diamond Technology Park will be the exact replica of the one in Antwerp.
Public Affairs Director at HB Antwerp Margaux Donckier, told our Online edition in a phone interview that HB Antwerp, which was founded in 2020, has grown to become “one of the most extensive mineral infrastructures”, employing more than 140 full-time employees in 2022.
The company applies an innovative methodology that is designed to simplify the complexity and challenges of the global diamond supply chain and increase transparency.
They do this by verifying every stage of its value chain using their own unique blockchain and traceability technologies.
It is this technology-driven ecosystem that is being transplanted to Botswana. Donckier confirmed that HB Botswana will open at the end of this year, and grow to a hi-tech facility of 485 people by 2025.
As one of the key sponsors of this year’s Global Expo – Botswana’s premier International multi-sectoral business to business exhibition managed by Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) - HB Antwerp will feature prominently in the programme.
The company’s Co-founder and Managing Partner, Rafael Papismedov, is already in Botswana along with Positive Impact Director, Valerie Geluykens seeing to the setting up of the local operations.
Papismedov will on Tuesday November 2 participate in the panel discussion under the topic ‘Digitalization in the Mining and Commodities Trading - Opportunities for the private sector’ from 2:30 to 3:45 PM.
On Wednesday November 3 – from 9:00 to 10:30 in the morning there will be a workshop titled ‘Changemakers’ about HB's mission, vision, values and how Batswana can “join our ecosystem”, Donckier said.