The recently elected Board of Directors of the Diamond High Council (DHC) elected Jacky Roth as president and Messrs Kaushik Mehta and St�phane Fischler elected as vice presidents. Freddy Hanard was also named new managing director of the DHC. The board also decided to take all the necessary steps to ensure the continued modernisation of the DHC. One of the implications of this will be that all commercial activities will be split up and marketing and communication policies will be co-ordinated. The principal objective of this will be to expand Antwerp�s position as the world diamond capital. It is with this objective in mind that Mr. Freddy Hanard, as new managing director, will start up an extensive and thorough study of the sector as a priority. The results of this first assignment will enable him to work out a detailed strategy.

�The diamond world, which is represented in all its facets in Antwerp, is one of the most exciting trading sectors one can imagine. This branch is, of course like so many others, constantly subject to new challenges, new developments and new trends. I see my greatest challenge as leading the Antwerp diamond world and in particular the DHC, into the third millennium,� stated Mr. Hanard.