Antwerp welcomes Sierra Leone President Ernest BaiKoroma

Antwerp and Sierra Leone’s existing trade relations were further established with the recent visit of Sierra Leone President Ernest BaiKoroma to Antwerp. A significant part of Sierra Leone’s diamonds being traded in Antwerp.

Ari Epstein, AWDC CEO stated, “We are very honoured to welcome President Komora. Sierra Leone is an important partner for the Antwerp diamond industry. In 2012, Antwerp imported 42% of Sierra Leone’s total diamond production, which translates to 45% of the total value of the country’s production. The average price per carat of a diamond mined in Sierra Leone amounted to $301,56 in 2012, which demonstrates the high quality of the country’s diamonds.”

Although Sierra Leone is a small diamond producer, its quality diamonds surpass this limitation. One such significant find in Sierra Leone is the ‘Star of Sierra Leone’ a 968,9 carat diamond considered the third largest rough diamond found to date. Harry Winston purchased it in 1972, for US$ 2,5 million.

President Ernest BaiKoroma visited the Antwerp diamond community touring the Diamond Office, HRD diamond lab and the Antwerp Diamond Tender Facility. This visit was part of the President’s 5-day official visit to the Benelux. President Koroma will also take part in the fourth EU-Africa summit on 2-3 April.