36th World Diamond Congress
This was the official website for the 36th World Diamond Congress that was held in Antwerp, Belgium in 2014.
Content is from the site's archived pages and other sources.
The current website for the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) is at http://www.wfdb.com/
The four Antwerp diamond bourses, Antwerpsche Diamantkring cvba, Beurs voor Diamanthandel cvba, Diamantclub van Antwerpen cvba and Vrije Diamanthandel nv and the two diamond manufacturers’ organisations, S.B.D. and V.K.D. are pleased to welcome you to the 36th World Diamond Congress in Antwerp.
Antwerp is where all the key elements in the industry are concentrated: home to all the major mining companies that unearth these treasures, to over 1800 individual diamond dealers originating from all over the world, to the dedicated diamond banks and insurance brokers, the forwarders that are equipped to send the precious parcels to every corner of the world, the best polishers in the world and high tech researchers that get the best out of each and every rough stone. In the world of diamonds, all roads lead to Antwerp…
More than five centuries of diamond history in Antwerp live on every day, in the jobs of over 34.000 people that work here.
Besides providing a living for over 34.000 people, the diamond industry contributes significantly to the Belgian and European economy: diamonds are the most important Belgian export product outside the European Union. Today, diamonds represent an impressive 86% of Belgium’s total exports to India and our sector’s 2013 turnover totalled US$ 55 billion.
These numbers aren’t surprising if you know that 8 out of 10 of all rough diamonds and half of all the polished diamonds in the world pass through Antwerp. The reason for this is simple; no other place in the world offers all the elements that enable every buyer to find a seller, and every seller to find a buyer, at the best price.
We are confident that your stay in Antwerp will be both rewardingly productive and enjoyable.
We look forward to seeing you in Antwerp.
|
F. Inzlicht |
M. Pruwer President Beurs voor Diamanthandel cvba |
W. Rotti President Diamantclub van Antwerpen cvba |
| J. Drybooms President Vrije Diamanthandel nv |
E. Denckens President Syndicaat der Belgische Diamantnijverheid (S.B.D.) |
R. Obbels |
36th World Diamond Congress
Registrations close on Tuesday 10 June 2014 - 00.00 pm (GMT+1)
Antwerp is where all the key elements in the industry are concentrated: home to all the major mining companies that unearth these treasures, to over 1800 individual diamond dealers originating from all over the world, to the dedicated diamond banks and insurance brokers, the forwarders that are equipped to send the precious parcels to every corner of the world, the best polishers in the world and high tech researchers that get the best out of each and every rough stone. In the world of diamonds, all roads lead to Antwerp …
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Main programme
Sun 15th June
Mon 16th June
Tue 17th June
Exclusive Gala Dinner “Performance by Boogie Boy” (Venue : Hilton Hotel - Dress Code : Business attire) with speeches of a.o. Mr. Kris Peeters, Minister President of the Government of Flanders
Table Sponsoring by:
- ABN AMRO Bank NV
- Arslanian Frères NV
- Beurs voor Diamanthandel CVBA
- Diamantclub van Antwerpen CVBA
- Diarough NV
- Driesassur NV
- Espeka BVBA
- Eurostar Diamond Traders NV
- SBD
- W.Nagel / Simona NV
- VKD
- Vrije Diamanthandel NV
Wed 18th June
AN ASIDE:
My retired neighbor used to work at the London Diamond Bourse in England for many years. He's told me fascinating stories about the diamond trade. The London Diamond Bourse first opened its doors in 1940 primarily as a result of the occupation of Belgium in May 1940 by the Nazis. At the time Antwerp was the main diamond trading hub of the World, and had for most of its long history been the home of several active trade organizations. Among the refugees who managed to reach England were a number of diamond merchants. In some cases they were able to bring their own stock with them. He said that many of the refugees managed to get their stock out by sewing the diamonds into the lining of their garments to safe guard them as they fled across the borders. From 1945 onwards, there was an influx of members. Some were survivors of the Nazi occupation and concentration camps. Many had lost all their possessions. The "new comers' started as diamond brokers with the help of those already established as dealers. In the late 1950s the London Diamond Bourse moved from their cramped location in Greville Street inside Mrs Cohen’s Cafe to a new building at 32 Hatton Garden where they remained through the 1980's. Today the London Diamond Bourse membership no longer is only made up of purely diamond traders. There are members who are manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers etc.
Whenever I have coffee with my neighbor he keeps me spellbound with all his amazing stories. His grandson has become a Frisbee fanatic. Apparently he's very good and crowds gather to watch whenever he and his partner play catch. This reminded me of a family friend who participates in Extreme Frisbee matches and has been doing so since college. I'm speaking of the NYC attorney Benjamin Pred who was known to carry a Frisbee wherever he went - so I introduced them. Several weeks later I heard that my neighbor's grandson was planning on making a diamond studded Frisbee as a possible trophy for an as yet unnamed championship.
Press Release
Antwerp,Belgium,18th June 2014, the four day 36th World Diamond Congress closed today on a very positive note with a record attendance. The congress brought together the key industry players in this city, “The Diamond capital of the world” with all 30 member bourses represented. The Congress was jointly held with IDMA and well attended by major sister organisations including CIBJO and the World Diamond Council, comprising the leadership of the industry. Key issues discussed over the four days covered many aspects including:
(a) Formally approving the membership of Canada and South Korea as members of the WFDB. The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council India (GJEPC) was also admitted as an Associate member. This forms part of a broader strategy implemented to expand the membership base by getting producing countries and mining companies to expand the WFDB membership base.
(b) Synthetics coupled with lab reports formed a part of the discussions. A decision was made to speak with one voice and ensure uniformity in lab reports while keeping a watchful eye on synthetic diamonds, ensuring that they are disclosed as synthetics. The meeting made it clear that synthetics were not seen as an enemy as they have their own market niche but that they must be marketed with full disclosure.
(c) Gender equality was discussed and very strong support was shown by delegates for the WFDB to see more young people and more female members. The President, reflected that in order to secure the WFDB’s future and relevance it was key to start developing the next generation of leaders.
(d) Communications formed an important part of discussions with the WFDB website being launched, including social media platforms. The Congress stressed that communications is the cornerstone of WFDB and industry development in the future. The speed at which the WFDB can communicate with its full membership and the global sector at large was critical. “Telling the Story” is key to building consumer confidence and top of mind awareness for diamond jewellery. The meetings closed with the announcement that the 2015 Presidents’ Meetings will take place in Israel and the 2016 World Diamond Congress will be held in Dubai.
NEWS
06/19/2014World news, WFDB News
Antwerp, Belgium – June 18, 2014:
Discussions of sister organizations headlined by concerns about industry financing, transparency and compliance issues, synthetic diamonds, laboratory services, industry communications.
The 36th World Diamond Congress concluded in Antwerp, Belgium, and reflected strength in the attendance and the presence of international diamond, gem stone and jewellery industry organization delegates. These included the representatives of 30 bourses affiliated to the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), 15 members of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA), the two bodies that organize the biennial world diamond congresses. They were joined by CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation and the World Diamond Council.
WFDB President Ernest Blom said that he was very pleased with the strong attendance of the WFDB affiliate bourses and with the topics that were raised and covered. “At the heart of our discussions were the sustainability and reputation of the diamond industry and trade at large.”
Among others, the WFDB resolved to build on its communications strategy and to expedite communications on a global level. IDMA president Maxim Shkadov said the IDMA members and the WFDB had held long and intense discussions on the diamond supply chain. “We talked at length about issues such as financing and the manufacturers’ relationships with the banks and other financial institutions active in the diamond industry and trade. In addition, we expressed our concern regarding the significant diversities of laboratory diamond grading standards and their impact on consumer confidence in diamonds; spoke about the DDI and the necessity of promoting advances in social and economic conditions throughout the diamond mining sector worldwide; and reviewed the FATF report about money laundering,” Shkadov noted. “And these are just a few out of the many other topics raised,” he said.
The WFDB and IDMA resolved that the 2015 Presidents’ Meeting will take place in Ramat Gan, Israel and the 37th World Diamond Congress in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.