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In light of recent articles in the press, we would like to offer you some clarification regarding the recent developments regarding Zimbabwe and the EU Restrictive Measures vis-à-vis the mining company Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC).
The European Restrictive Measures aimed at ZMDC remain in force and can only be lifted one month after the presidential and parliamentary elections that will take place later this year. This would make the diamond import from Zimbabwe/Marange to Europe possible again.
However, the Council communicated two important conditions:
The sanctions will not be lifted if:
• the Council agrees that the elections were not peaceful, transparent and credible;
• the Council finds there are reasonable grounds to believe that ZMDC has been involved in activities undermining democracy during the elections.
As a consequence, diamonds produced by the ZMDC cannot currently be imported into the EU and Belgian market.
The measures as described in the decisions of 15/12/2011 and 15/02/2012 remain in force.
The full text of the Council decision can be found here:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:046:0037...
On February 5th, a first meeting regarding a possible concept study about a new quality label for diamond jewelers took place. AWDC, the city of Antwerp and several jewelers discussed the possibilities.
The city of Antwerp commissioned AWDC to initiate a new study that investigates the possibility and creation of a new diamond quality label. This will protect the consumer and increases Antwerp’s position as diamond city. A similar initiative was proposed in the Antwerp Diamond Masterplan – Project 2020 by AWDC. That is why AWDC considers this study to be an excellent opportunity to promote the so called ‘fifth C’ (Compliance, Confidence).
Caroline De Wolf, spokesperson for the Antwerp World Diamond Centre:
The Antwerp diamond community is shocked by the brutal heist of late last night. Armed robbers took off with around US$ 50 million worth in diamonds, both rough and polished stones.
Antwerp is the world's prime diamond trading hub; 8 in ten of all rough and half of all polished diamonds are traded in Antwerp.
To date, Antwerp is the most highly secured diamond centre in the entire global industry, guaranteeing a safe business environment and safe transport of the vast stream of valuable goods to and from Antwerp.
We find it hard to understand how a robbery such as yesterday's heist could take place. We are currently awaiting the results of the investigation but we do fear the damage for Antwerp, the world's leading trade centre, is significant.
We choose to transport goods via airplane, precisely because of the safe and controlled nature of this means of transportation. We do hope additional security measures can be put in place in order to safeguard a fluent and safe transport of diamonds.
On Sunday, April 21st, ten thousands of sports enthusiast will participate in the 28th edition of the 'Antwerp 10 miles', Antwerp's most important sports event of the year. Evidently, the Antwerp diamond community should be part of this event.
So dust off your running shoes, get on track en register for the 'Antwerp Diamond Team'.
AWDC commits to pay your registration fee and will provide you with a unique, special T-shirt.
With a track that runs through the Kennedy and Waaslandtunnel, more than 30.000 participants and more than 10.000 supporting enthusiasts, the Antwerp 10 miles is a truly unique event. If you don't feel up to 10 miles or 16 kilometer, you can choose to run the 5 kilometer track. If running isn't your cup of tea, be sure to come and support the Antwerp Diamond Team.
We are counting on a strong team to defend the Antwerp diamond honor!
Register via Jacintha Dijkstra via e-mail: eliane.clement@awdc.be
Today’s world is a visual one. ‘Seeing is believing’, they say, something our industry knows better than any other.
That is why AWDC made a brand-new captivating film that truly depicts what we all can experience every single day; Antwerp is the beating heart of the global diamond industry, something to be proud of!
You can download the movie here, free to use. So put it on your website, show it to your clients …
Antwerp & Diamonds, a brilliant story!
The fourth edition of the Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair concluded on Tuesday, January 29. More than 500 visitorsfrom Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and the Russian Federation visited the exhibition booths of the 83 exhibitors in the trading halls of the Antwerp Diamond Bourse and the Diamond Club of Antwerp. Most exhibitors were most of all pleased because the majority of buyers were first time visitors to Antwerp. We already look forward to next year!
AWDC wishes to purchase following stones to support local campaigns.
If you have such stones please contact Barbara Descheemaecker by calling 03 222 05 43 or mailing barbaradescheemaecker@awdc.eu before Thursday February 8th
2 round 0,20 – 0,50 ct, F – H, VVS2
1 round 0,5 – 1 ct, E/F/G, VVS2,
We are looking for the best price-quality.
