Interior Minister Backs Antwerp's Diamond Plea
January 23, 25
(IDEX Online) - Belgium's minister of the interior has backed industry calls for the government to support the diamond sector.
Speaking in a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Annelies Verlinden (pictured) said: "The government must provide certainty and stability, and at the European level, we need to adopt business-friendly policies.
"There is room for improvement in deregulation, legal clarity, and administrative and fiscal simplification."
Her comments follow calls earlier this week from Karen Rentmeesters CEO at AWDC (Antwerp World Diamond Centre) for "decisive support" after rough imports dropped by 35 per cent because of G7 sanctions on Russia.
She called for access to Belgian banks (virtually impossible at present), more visas for specialist foreign workers and clearer agreements to speed goods through customs at the Diamond Office.
Ravi Bhansali, vice president of AWDC and managing director at Rosy Blue, warned: "The diamond story will continue, here or elsewhere. It's up to our governments to decide whether Antwerp remains part of that story."
Al Cook, CEO of De Beers, said: "Regulations that block progress are a poor choice and risk sidelining Antwerp as a global trade center."