Antwerp Diamond Day Celebrated

Antwerp is the primary supplier of rough diamond to India’s massive manufacturing centre, and the Belgian diamond sector is looking to create even wider ties with the country in light of forecasts to reach exports of $35-40 billion in 2015


Mumbai became location for an Antwerp Diamond Day, as the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) organized the latest edition of the popular workshop and networking event in the Indian diamond centre on March 25.
As part of its pro-active approach to promoting diamond trading between Belgium and overseas markets, the Antwerp Diamond Day - a highlight of the economic trade mission that led by HRH Prince Philippe of Belgium from March 20-27.

The Antwerp Diamond Day aim & introduced the most important players in the Indian diamond trade to their counterparts from Belgium at a prestigious event in the Indian commercial centre of Mumbai. AWDC CEO Freddy J. Hanard, deliverd the session of introduction of the Antwerp Diamond Day with an overview of the Belgian diamond trade and what it can offer Indian businesses. The Chairman, GJEPC, Shri Vasant Mehta also underscored that initiatives and huge potentials in his presentation. He also unveiled notable bilateral trading facts-n-figures.

Dr. Jef Van Royen, Senior Research Scientist at HRD Antwerp, Research, who addressed the gathering on the theme of "Science supporting confidence in diamonds.” His presentation divulges the importance of research into diamonds and the central role it plays at HRD Research.


The final address that deliverd by Werner Van Der Cruyssen, Customs Attache at the Belgian Embassy in India, on customs formalities. Though many diamond players demanded Dr Jef to fill up their prying and Dr Jef answered well in his second round.

The practical side of the event opened up with a two-and-a-half-hour networking session enabling Belgian and Indian diamantaires to get to know each other and discover business opportunities. That followed in the presence of HRH Prince Philippe.
Antwerp is the primary supplier of rough diamond to India’s massive manufacturing centre, and the Belgian diamond sector is looking to create even wider ties with the country in light of forecasts showing its diamond industry is set to expand in the next five years.
India is a growing economic power and therefore an interesting market for foreign entrepreneurs. Interaction with the Belgian-Indian Chamber of Commerce on this important market can result in favorable trade relations.

India’s gems and jewellery exports are worth $27-28 billion annually, but the industry is expected to grow at around 13 percent annually and is forecast to reach exports of $35-40 billion in 2015.
Although members of the diamond and jeweler trades frequently meet up and carry out business at international trade shows, the AWDC believes a more proactive approach can help ensure that Belgian diamond companies reach many more potential clients in selected markets. Notable representation that made from Surat Diamonds Association and Rohit Mehta, president of Surat Diamond Association presented memento to Freddy J. Hanard and invited to visit Surat- the key global diamond center.

The Antwerp Diamond Days began in May 2008 at the Jewelry Shanghai trade show where the Antwerp Diamond Pavilion provided visitors with extensive information about carrying out business in Belgium. But more than that, it gave members of the Belgian diamond business and their Chinese counterparts the chance to meet and discuss trading possibilities.
Some 15 Belgian diamantaires flew to Shanghai specifically for the event, and were met by around 30 representatives of the Chinese jewellery trade. The event started with a seminar delivered by officials from local trade bodies designed at giving the Belgian visitors practical information in how to do business in China. This important information included how to establish a business in China and details of the Chinese tax code.
Although this proved of great interest to the Belgian diamantaires, it was the face-to-face meetings that were eagerly awaited and held. Making contact is the first step in doing business, and the meetings enabled that.
The second AWDC Antwerp Diamond Day was held in Singapore in November 2008 and had a royal touch since it took part in the presence of HRH Prince Philippe accompanied by HRH Princess Mathilde. Again, the idea was to promote the Belgian diamond industry as a means of boosting trade, but this time in the framework of an economic mission to Indonesia and Singapore.