Debswana Managing Director Balisi Bonyongo says though the company’s EBIDTA improved in 2016 the environment still does not guarantee that the company relax. The company’s EBITDA improved by 40% over 2015, a very significant improvement when compared to the period 2014/15 which recorded a decline of 37%. “2016 was a different year than 2015, but we can’t be comfortable,” he said. Speaking at the company’s business performance update to stakeholders on Tuesday this week in Gaborone, Bonyongo said due to continued strong US consumer demand, the rough diamond market stabilised and midstream sentiments improved. The strong rough diamonds demand, according to Bonyongo, reflects improved trading conditions. The strong rough diamond demand from the US market which Bonyongo described as mature has given Debswana a chance to start distributing. Higher revenues from stronger rough diamond demand, improvement in cost and operational efficiencies, favorable exchange rate lead to an improved EBITRA. He revealed that in 2016, Debswana produced 20.5 million carats of diamonds as compared to 20.4 million carats in 2015 and 24.2 in 2014. The Carats produced remained in line with 2015 production at 20.5 million carats. “This is as a result of our strategy to produce to demand by maximising…