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The De Beers Group of Companies today participated in the second US - Africa Business Forum, hosted by the US Department of Commerce and Bloomberg Philanthropies at the Plaza Hotel in New York.
Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, joined world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, US Secretary of State John Kerry, Michael R. Bloomberg, various African heads of state, and other private sector CEOs from the US and Africa, to examine the partnerships that have led to deepened business relationships and the exciting potential for growth in Africa.
The Obama Administration and the US private sector recognise the tremendous potential of the fast-growing and dynamic economies of Africa, and agree that the promotion of economic partnerships, sustainable development, and increased two-way trade and investment is central to the US-Africa relationship.
The interactive sessions focused on a variety of key issues that impact US – African partnerships, including economic diversification and regional integration, entrepreneurship and bottom-up innovation, and the continent’s digital future.
Mr Cleaver highlighted the success of the partnership between Botswana and De Beers, which has endured for almost 50 years and is one of the world’s longest and most successful public-private partnerships.
He said: “Careful stewardship of Botswana’s diamond resource by the Government and De Beers since independence in 1966 has transformed the country from one of the poorest nations in the world into a modern, upper middle-income country. This progress has been built largely on a diamond foundation, enabled by high standards of governance, political stability and the judicious investment of Botswana’s diamond wealth.”
For more information about this year’s forum, visit http://usafricabusinessforum.bloomberg.org/
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About The De Beers Group of Companies
De Beers is a member of the Anglo American group. Established in 1888, De Beers is the world’s leading diamond company with unrivalled expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers employs more than 20,000 people (directly and as contractors) across the diamond pipeline, and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. As part of the company’s operating philosophy, the people of De Beers are committed to Living up to Diamonds by making a lasting contribution to the communities in which they live and work, and transforming natural resources into shared national wealth. For further information about De Beers visit www.debeersgroup.com.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies works in over 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2015, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed over half a billion dollars. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat: Bloombergdotorg and Twitter @BloombergDotOrg.
About the US Department of Commerce
The US Department of Commerce promotes job creation, economic growth, sustainable development and improved standards of living for all Americans by working in partnership with businesses, universities, communities and our nation’s workers. The department touches the daily lives of the American people in many ways, with a wide range of responsibilities in the areas of trade, economic development, technology, entrepreneurship and business development, environmental stewardship, and statistical research and analysis. For more information, visit commerce.gov.