ANTWERP AT BEIJING

The China International Jewellery Fair at Beijing is organised by the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China, with the support of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange. The Beijing Fair has close relations with the Shanghai Fair in June where AWDC has a tradition of setting up an Antwerp Diamond Pavilion. Because of the ever increasing importance of the Chinese market and the higher demand from the Antwerp diamond companies to be present even more in mainland China. 

In the first half of 2010, exports of polished diamonds from Belgium to mainland China and Hong Kong totalled at 1.6 billion US dollar. That equals a share of 23,5 % in carat volume and 24.6 % in US dollar. These numbers mean China and Hong Kong have become Antwerp's number one export destination. In comparison to 2009, it's an increase of 51% for mainland China and 36,6 % for Hong Kong. In terms of rough diamonds, China and Hong Kong are the number three export destination.

To give the Antwerp diamond companies as much exposure as possible and tap into the business opportunities in China, AWDC decided to add the Beijing Fair to its calendar of Antwerp Diamond Pavilions and launch a Pavilion at Beijing this year. Fourteen Antwerp Exhibitors are participating in the 150 square meters Antwerp Diamond Pavilion.

The Antwerp diamond centre is the world's largest hub for trade in diamonds, both rough and polished. In 2009 the trade in rough and polished diamonds amounted to $30.3 billion. Belgium exported 7.28 million carats of polished gems, and 96.5 million carats of rough goods.

Antwerp is the diamond industry's primary business centre, serving as the headquarters for about 1,500 diamond firms, which is the largest concentration of companies in the industry. They include rough diamond producers, rough dealers, manufacturers, and polished diamond wholesalers. Antwerp also the world diamond industry's leading service provider, and is home to the industry's leading financial institutions, insurance companies, security, shipping and logistics providers, gem labs, technology companies, professional equipment suppliers, business advisors and management consultants.

Organising the Antwerp Diamond Pavilion at the The China International Jewellery Fair is the Marketing Department of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), which is the coordinating body and the official representative of the Antwerp diamond sector. The AWDC Marketing Department is charged with strengthening the image of Antwerp as the world diamond centre, and promoting collectively the interests of diamond, gemstone and jewellery companies based in the Belgian city.