Antwerp diamond sector and City of Antwerp cement alliance
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The City of Antwerp and the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), the umbrella organisation of the Antwerp diamond sector, have renewed their cooperation agreement until 2025. By focussing on the future, the goal of the agreement is for Antwerp to remain the world’s single most important trading centre for diamond.
As the diamond capital of the world, Antwerp houses 4 diamond exchanges, more than any other city. 86% of all the rough diamonds worldwide and 50% of all polished diamonds pass through Antwerp on their journey from origin to owner. It is the most important Belgian export product outside of the European Union.
But the city also has a strong historical connection to diamond. For almost 6 centuries, Antwerp has been the heart of the global diamond trade. Here, the ancient craft is combined with modern technologies.
Most importantly, it was also the first city to implement rules for fair trade, starting as early as 1447. Antwerp is firmly opposed to conflict diamonds. Since the approval of the Kimberley Process, Antwerp fulfils its role as global moral leader in transparency and compliance.
Antwerp sets itself apart from other diamond trade centres by focussing on transparency and compliance in every step of the value chain. The renewed cooperation agreement fixates precisely on these two values. Other cornerstones of the agreement are innovation and technology. By focussing on these aspects, Antwerp’s diamond companies will be able to secure their future.
Additionally, the City of Antwerp wants to work on a pleasant, attractive and safe diamond district. The district should reflect the importance of the diamond sector for the city and on an international level.
