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For the past three days a delegation of leading jewelers and diamond traders from Kuwait have been getting acquainted with their counterparts in Antwerp, enjoying a behind-the-scenes look at the diamond capital and doing business at high-level networking events. The visit from the up-and-coming diamond market of Kuwait – long a major player in the pearl, gold and gemstone jewelry trade – signals the launch of a new initiative by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, the Antwerp Diamond Experience.
Indian Prime Minister Modi is paying a visit to Belgium today. Given the importance of diamonds in the trade relations between Belgium and India, the Indian Prime Minister this evening will personally welcome members from the Antwerp World Diamond Centre’s Board of Directors. AWDC is the umbrella organization for the Antwerp diamond industry.
The deadline for submitting the Annual Anti-Money Laundering declaration is 31 March 2016. If you have not yet submitted the Anti-Money Laundering declaration, please do so as soon as possible.
Every registered Belgian diamond dealer is legally obligated to complete the annual Anti-Money Laundering declaration each year and send it to the FPS Economy (or deliver it to the AWDC reception desk). The deadline for submission is 31 March 2016. Should you fail to submit the declaration prior to the deadline, you run the risk of receiving an administrative fine of 250 EUR to 1,250,000 EUR.
In an expression of solidarity with the victims of yesterday’s horrific attacks in Brussels, a minute of silence will be held today at 12:00 noon in the Antwerp diamond district. Citizens are invited to leave a personal message of sympathy in a book of condolence at Antwerp City Hall.
Ransomware is a type of malware that holds the victim’s computer or mobile devices to ransom, either by restricting access to the computer by locking it or by encrypting the user’s files.
During past months there has been a rise in failed, foiled or successful ransomware attacks in Belgium, to include the Flanders Region and the Antwerp Diamond Area. And it appears to be gaining momentum. Cyber criminals have launched new generations of ransomware.
2015 was a difficult year for the global diamond trade. Poor economic conditions caused diamond demand to slow worldwide. Antwerp, the largest diamond trade hub in the world, did not escape the downturn unscathed. The February trade figures, however, show the first signs of recovery. The diamond trade has taken an upturn.
The Antwerp Diamond Team will participate in the 2016 edition of the Antwerp 10 Miles on Sunday, April 17. Register now and join the team! Tens of thousands of sports enthusiasts will participate in the 31st edition of the Antwerp 10 Miles, one of the most important sporting events in Antwerp. The Antwerp diamond community should definitely be strongly represented at this event. So dust off your running shoes and join us on April 17th!
The Antwerp Rough Diamond Days that took place this week in the Antwerpsche Diamantkring (Rough Diamond Bourse) were once again a success. Approximately 50 exhibitors traded rough diamonds to national and international diamond dealers. In addition, the Kring also launched its brand new website during the opening of the fair.
