File photo shows a worker shows a diamond to the media at the Christie in Geneva, Switzerland, April 30, 2013. The gem was found at the Jwaneng mine in Botswana and took 21 months to polish. (Xinhua/Wang Siwei)

GABORONE, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Botswana seeks to take full advantage of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) to market its diamonds in China, a senior government official has said.

In an interview with Xinhua regarding the event which is running from Nov. 5 to 10 in Chinese city Shanghai, Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Eric Molale said the Botswana Investment Trade Centre (BITC) is participating at the CIIE for the purpose of marketing the country's diamonds.

Most of Botswana's diamond production is of gem quality resulting in the country's position as the world's leading producer of diamonds by value. "As the leading diamond producer by value world over, we are earmarking to export more diamonds to China," said Molale.

According to the minister, Botswana has been exporting its diamonds to the western countries but not benefiting much in terms of revenue, adding there are great prospects presented by the Chinese market.

Last year, a local diamond manufacturer, Dalumi Group signed a distribution agreement with a Chinese jewelry firm, marking Botswana's major expansion into China's retail market for diamonds.

Botswana is the second biggest supplier of conflict-free diamonds, having been a founding participant of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme since 2003.

Kutlo Moagi, Director of Corporate Communication at BITC, said earlier that Botswana is seeing a positive development and big opportunity coming the southern African country's way in the aftermath of CIIE.