A delegation of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) and representatives of no less than 35 Antwerp diamond companies met with a delegation of the Gokhran, the Russian State Precious Metals and Gems Repository, ALROSA’s top management and other stakeholders of the Russian diamond industry, during an exclusive Antwerp Diamond Night at the Belgian Embassy in Moscow.

The exclusive networking event, organized by AWDC,was the perfect opportunity for both long-term clients and other Belgian companies to benefit from the strategic partnership between the world's largest diamond-mining country, represented by members of the Russian State Precious Metals and Gems Repository,Gokhran, ALROSA management, and the industry’s foremost diamond trading hub, Antwerp. The event was hosted by the Belgian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, His Excellency Alex Van Meeuwen and attended by AWDC President, StéphaneFischler, Vice President Kaushik Mehta, and Board Director Ramesh Patel.

Over the past few years, the Russian-Antwerp relationship has been thriving. In terms of import, Russia remains one of the most important suppliers of rough diamonds for Antwerp; in 2013 Antwerp imported from Russia an impressive22.8 million carats, constituting 25% of all Antwerp rough imports and equaling a value of 2.8 billion US$. On average,more than 50% ofrough diamondsfrom ALROSA are tradedin Antwerp, home to the largest concentration of ALROSA’s long-term agreement clients.

Just a few months ago, ALROSA signed a new Cooperation Agreement with the Antwerp World Diamond Centre that further formalizes their cooperation over the next three years. The agreement includes the intention for both parties to contribute to the development of a competitive rough and polished diamond market in Russia and to the promotion of rough sales in Antwerp, a formalized exchange of information and knowledge on various facets of the industry and educational opportunities.

Further complementing the excellent trade relations, is a Memorandum of Understanding signed during this Antwerp Diamond Night by AWDC’s President Stéphane Fischlerand, Mr. Andrei Yurin, Head of the Gokhran of Russia, the State Precious Metals and Gem Repository. The MoU commits both parties to exchange market information, knowledge and technologyand to work more closely towards their common goal of strengthening the reputation of the natural diamonds market.