In the margins of the World Economic Forum, the Antwerp World Diamond Centre hosted a dedicated diamond-financing seminar in Davos, introduced by Flemish Minister President Mr. Geert Bourgeois and attended by international financial institutions. The initiative is part of a strategy to inform banks and key players in the financial sector on the specific dynamics and functioning of diamond financing. Today, a mere 5 percent of global financial institutions is involved in the niche market of diamond industry financing.

The seminar reiterated the strengths of Antwerp in the global diamond industry, the underlying dynamics of the global diamond industry from mine to consumer, the future outlook and challenges ahead, especially regarding sustainable diamond financing for the industry.

Alongside these elements, AWDC also provided more insight into the growing demand for diamonds as an investment product and presented the initiatives AWDC is undertaking to boost this evolution.

ABN-AMRO’s Sabine Smets, Head Belgium D&JC, - International Clients, elaborated on the future prospect of diamond financing from a bankers’ perspective, while underling the importance of profitability and transparency being crucial in a changed diamond-financing paradigm. Participants networked to discuss the potential of diamond financing further.