During the Antwerp-Shanghai Investment Forum held in Antwerp between June 3-4, the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) and the Diamond Administration of China (DAC) have signed a memorandum of understanding. The agreement is towards reinforcing cooperation between the two diamond centers.

The Forum is a platform which welcomes an economical and political delegation led by Shanghai Party Secretary and former mayor of Shanghai Han Zheng. It aims to follow up on the official visit to Shanghai by Antwerp mayor Bart De Wever, in collaboration with the Port of Antwerp and AWDC, in October last year.

Ari Epstein, AWDC CEO, stated that: “The aim of the MOU is to strengthen cooperation and exchange between the two diamond sectors, and to promote the development of the diamond industries in both countries.” The wide-ranging agreement will oversee the bilateral exchange of information and data about market and industry trends, jointly promoting and supporting Belgian and Chinese diamond trade and investments as well as developing marketing initiatives to drive the sale of diamonds and diamond jewelry. AWDC as well as DAC will specifically support HRD Antwerp’s activities in China.