Incoming Belgian Ambassador to Canada visits Antwerp diamond sector
On Tuesday 15 July 2014, H.E. Raoul Delcorde, incoming Belgian Ambassador to Canada, visited the Antwerp diamond sector. Ari Epstein (AWDC CEO), Christiaan Van Doninck (Head of Business Development) and Karla Basselier (Head of Public Affairs) received the delegation. H.E. Delcorde was given a tour of the Diamond Office, the Antwerp Diamond Tender Facility and the HRD diamond lab.
Canada is an important trade partner for the Antwerp diamond sector, having produced over 10.6 million carats of rough diamonds, valued at 1.9 billion US dollars in 2013. In the same year, direct imports of rough diamonds from Canada amounted to 2.8% in volume (ct) and to 4.5% in value (USD) of all rough imports in Antwerp. In terms of value, Antwerp’s direct imports of rough diamonds from Canada translated to 600 million USD, in 2013.
Since Canadian rough diamonds represent a significant part of all rough imports in Antwerp, Canadian mines are a top priority for Belgium. Diamonds from the Ekati and Diavik mines are currently being marketed in Antwerp. Stornoway Diamond miner’s Renard Diamond Project, in collaboration with the Province of Québec, is projected to reap a diamond production average of 1,6 million carats annually. Stornoway expects commercial production to start by summer 2017 (second quarter). Renard has the potential to become the most significant diamond project in Québec. Considering the excellent relationship between Antwerp and the Canadian diamond industry, the Renard Project could mean an important new source of rough diamonds for the Antwerp diamond market.
