In the effort to encourage Belgium diamond companies gain further exposure in the Chinese gem and jewellery market, the Antwerp World Diamond Centre announced in its release, that it is for the first time organising a pavilion for Antwerp diamond companies for the first time at the China International Jewellery Fair in Beijing to be held November 11-15. Participating companies include : AS Diamonds, Antwerp Diamond Partners, Aspeco, Beladamas, Blue Gems, D.A. Jhaveri, Diamwill, Fima Diamonds, Jayam, Jogdiam, Paras Gems, Othello, Supergems.

Altogether 13 companies will feature at the Antwerp pavilion.

"The global diamond industry knows that China is becoming one of the main markets of the future," said AWDC CEO Freddy J. Hanard. "Its economic expansion is creating a continuously growing demand for diamond jewellery, and it is vital that Belgian firms create contacts and develop business ties in China." Mr. Hanard added. China last year overtook Japan in polished diamond imports to become the world's second-largest diamond consumer market. Imports received through the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE) soared 30.7 percent to $699 million.

The AWDC has been investing great efforts on behalf of Belgian diamond companies to expand their presence in the Chinese market which some analysts believe will double its demand for diamonds in the coming five years to $1 billion.

Mainland China and Hong Kong together account for about 25 percent of the polished diamonds exported from Antwerp each month. The said exports to China in 2009 equalled $250.8 million, in addition to the $1.85 billion exported to Hong Kong, a major portion of which would eventually be sold in China.