BOTSWANA’S diamond giant, Debswana, increased its revenue to a record $1,96-billion from $1,28-billion in 1998. MD Louis Nchindosaid that gross profits for 1999 rose mainly because of an increase in the amount of carats sold. The company said that the continued strength of the American retail market, some renewed confidence in the south-east Asian markets, and the re-stocking of the trade pipeline following severe stock depletion in the second half of 1997 through to 1998 were among the factors responsible for the improvement in profits and sales.