AWDC and UNIZO to collaborate at structural level

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.

“UNIZO defends the interests of entrepreneurs, sole proprietors and the liberal professions at all policy levels. Many diamond companies are SMEs or small independent contractors with a limited scale of business operations. UNIZO stands on the front lines on their behalf. This is why we were the requesting party for this structural collaboration, so that they can also participate in defending the interests of Antwerp diamond companies, for example in regards to diamond financing”, says Ari Epstein.

The cooperation agreement was signed by Karel Van Eetvelt, executive director of UNIZO, Jan Sap, director-general of UNIZO, Stéphane Fischler, president of AWDC and Ari Epstein, CEO of AWDC. The extensive agreement comprises structural collaboration with regard to advocacy, position statements, mutual exchange of information and recommendations, strategy, mutual communication and the organization of events, training programs, etc.

“Diamonds are extremely important for Belgian exports. The Antwerp diamond industry is the global leader. If we wish to remain at the top, then we must ensure that Belgium continues to be an attractive place for diamond companies to do business. Diamond companies need to have permanent access to banks for the opening of accounts.Together with AWDC, we will defend the interests of the industry,” says UNIZO director Karel Van Eetvelt.

After the signing, the two sides sat down for an initial working session to discuss the priorities for the Antwerp diamond industry. During the visit, two diamond polishers, Wolf Ollech and Danny Meylemans, received the UNIZO label, “Handmade in Belgium”, from Karel Van Eetvelt.