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The AWDC Security Office (AWDC SO) and the Antwerp Local Police (LPA) work closely together to ensure the safety and security of the Antwerp diamond industry and community. Some matters of crucial importance were resolved as a result of this successful collaboration.
In the context of the "Integrated Anti-Tiger Kidnapping Program" (IATKP), AWDC Security Office announces the following monthly Anti-Tiger Kidnapping briefing, which will take place on Thursday July 23rd, 2015 from 11 AM – 12 noon in the Oppenheimer room of the AWDC building on the 9th floor. This briefing is addressed to CEOs, middle management and staff working in the Antwerp diamond sector.
There are several physical threats applicable to Antwerp diamond companies: fraud, theft, switching, robbery, burglary, tiger kidnapping … For a couple of months now, AWDC SO has observed another increasing threat: cyber crime. Examples of cyber crime include, but are not limited to: email hacks, caller ID fraud, money exchange fraud, invoice fraud, bank transfer fraud, malware attacks …
AWDC SO wants to increase awareness in the Antwerp Diamond Community about the recent surge of cyber crime and offer preventive security measures. This briefing is focused on and addressed to CEOs, GMs, CFOs and personnel, mandated to order or perform financial transactions such as payments, money exchanges and transfers.
!! New!! With the S-ADA Security Awareness briefing, AWDC Security Office announces its newest monthly meeting for the benefit of CEOs, GMs and diamond brokers.
Agenda:
• Presentation of the services provided by AWDC SO to all involved in the Antwerp diamond district.
• Presentation and visualization of risks, incidents and their impact.
• Recommendation and description of effective security measures.
The figures from the first half of 2015 show that the Antwerp diamond industry traded fewer rough diamonds from January through June in comparison to last year. The trade figures for polished diamonds paint a more positive picture.
On Monday 13 July, H.E. Peter Huygebaert, currently the Belgian Ambassador to Ivory Coast, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and future Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai, will pay a visit to the Antwerp diamond industry. During this visit, AWDC will also organize a Meet & Greet for ten Antwerp diamond companies. The Meet & Greet will be held in the AWDC building from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Registration is mandatory, you can sign up starting Friday 10 July, 9 am!
The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) and the Union of Independent Entrepreneurs (UNIZO) signed a cooperation agreement today during UNIZO’s visit to the Antwerp diamond industry. AWDC and UNIZO are joining forces to address several important themes for the diamond industry, such as diamond financing. By means of this structural collaboration, UNIZO will also include important dossiers on the agenda and will work to ensure that the diamond industry remains firmly anchored in the Belgian economy and SME landscape.
Precisely one year after the launch of its first sustainability report, on 2 July AWDC entered into dialogue with its stakeholders about the organization’s role, responsibility and policy with regard to sustainability. Half of the group of twenty stakeholders consisted of people who are active in or familiar with the diamond industry. The other half was composed of sustainability experts or people who are specialized in sustainability reporting.
