AWDC Offers Diamond-Financing Seminar in Davos

(IDEX Online News) – The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) set up a dedicated diamond-financing seminar in Davos last week on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. The seminar was introduced by Flemish Minister President Geert Bourgeois and attended by international financial institutions.

The initiative is part of a strategy to inform banks and key players in the financial sector on the specific dynamics and functioning of diamond financing.  According to AWDC, 5 percent of global financial institutions is involved in diamond industry financing.

The seminar offered insight into Antwerp’s diamond trade, the underlying dynamics of the global diamond industry, and future challenges regarding the sustainability of diamond financing. The AWDC also provided insight into the growing demand for diamonds as an investment product and presented initiatives that it is undertaking to boost this evolution.

In addition, ABN AMRO’s Sabine Smets, Head Belgium D&JC, international clients, elaborated on the future prospect of diamond financing from a banker's perspective, underpinning the importance of profitability and transparency as crucial elements in a changed diamond-financing paradigm.

The seminar was concluded by a networking event, allowing participants to discuss the potential of diamond financing further.