HRD to Open Drop-Off Window in Dubai

Hanard also gave the figures for last year’s rough and polished diamond trade in Antwerp. The sector – including polished diamond imports and exports and rough diamond import and exports – passed the $42 billion mark for the first time, which he said was the highest sum ever reported by a diamond trading centre.

Polished exports from Antwerp for the year of 2007 increased by 7.2 percent in terms of volume to 9.36 million carats, and 13 percent by value to $10.74 billion. Meanwhile, polished imports showed a 5 percent increase in volume to 9.74 million carats, and an 11.1 percent rise in value to $9.99 billion. 

Rough exports rose 5.2 percent in volume to 142.88 million carats, and by 15.3 percent in value to $11.3 billion. Rough imports were down 1.7 percent in volume terms to 133.55 million carats, but up 10.5 percent in value to $10.2 billion.

“While it is true that general economic indicators are not positive at present, there already was concern in the marketplace about the situation in the United States during the second half of 2007. The results that we reported in Antwerp indicate that, over the long term, we have an industry that is extremely optimistic about its future,” said Hanard.

During the press conference, Hanard also announced the launch the 2009 edition of the HRD Awards, the international diamond jewelry design competition organised by the AWDC. The theme of the competition will be “Once upon a time… my favourite fairy tale.” The 2009 competition will be open to professional and non-professional designers, including students.

HRD Antwerp announced that it would be highlighting its presence at Baselworld 2008, which runs through April 10, by providing diamond evaluation demonstrations throughout the course of the event. The demonstrations are being held at the HRD booth, C40 in Hall 3.0, as part of the Antwerp Diamond Pavilion.