Trade rises between Antwerp diamond industry and greater China
ANTWERP, May 18, 2013 – The trade between the Antwerp diamond industry and greater China increased spectacularly over the past five years.
Greater China currently is the number 1 export destination for Antwerp’s polished diamonds.
In 2012, 31,3% of Antwerp’s polished diamonds headed to greater China (in 2011 this was 29%).
The export of rough and polished diamonds from Antwerp to the region increased by 73% between 2007 and 2012.
Similarly, over the past 5 years, the import of diamonds from greater China to Antwerp increased by 70%.
In the framework of the thriving trade relationships between China and the Antwerp diamond industry, Antwerp was omnipresent at the Jewelry Shanghai 2013 Trade Fair when a selection of Antwerp diamond companies visited Shanghai between May 10th to 13th.
The companies participated in a four-day networking program which included the first ever Antwerp Diamond Pavilion at the Shanghai fair.
Ari Epstein, CEO Antwerp World Diamond Centre, said, “The Chinese market has a lot of potential. Driven by the economic developments in China and Hong Kong, diamond demand increased steeply the past few years.
“Our import and export figures are testimony to that evolution. We want to make sure Antwerp stays the preferred trading partner of both China and Hong Kong and that is why we decided to organize a complete networking program.”
