The Russian diamond industry interacted with Antwerp’s diamond industry at an exclusive Antwerp Diamond Night at the Belgian Embassy in Moscow. Antwerp was represented by a delegation from AWDC, and delegates from around 35 Antwerp diamond companies, while the Russian counterparts included a delegation of the Gokhran, the Russian State Precious Metals and Gems Repository, Alrosa’s top management and other stakeholders of the Russian diamond industry.
This exclusive occasion was organized by AWDC for both long-term clients and other Belgian companies to benefit from their strategic partnership. The event was hosted by the Belgian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, His Excellency Alex Van Meeuwen and attended by AWDC President, Stéphane Fischler, Vice President Kaushik Mehta, and Board Director Ramesh Patel.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed during this Antwerp Diamond Night by AWDC’s President Stéphane Fischler and Mr. Andrei Yurin, Head of the Gokhran of Russia, the State Precious Metals and Gem Repository. The MoU commits both parties to exchange market information, knowledge and technology and to work towards their common goal of strengthening the reputation of the natural diamonds market.
The Russian-Antwerp relationship has seen growth over the years been thriving. Russia remains one of the most important suppliers of rough diamonds for Antwerp, wherein in 2013 Antwerp sourced 25 percent of its rough imports from Russia. On average, more than 50 percent of rough diamonds from Alrosa are traded in Antwerp. A few months ago, Alrosa signed a new Cooperation Agreement with AWDC to further formalizes their cooperation over the next three years.