2009 Antwerp Diamond Symposium will inspect effects of the recovering economy

The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) is hosting its 2009 Antwerp Diamond Symposium based on the theme “The Diamond Industry in the New Economy,” examining the state of the diamond markets and their prospects in the recovering global economy. The symposium, would feature sessions on rough diamond supply, polished demand, financial issues, and key issues, including generic marketing, and their role in the changing economy.

“The Antwerp Diamond Symposium is again being held at a critical point in time for the diamond industry,” said Freddy J. Hanard, CEO of the AWDC. “The global economy has undergone far-reaching changes that have reached into every industry. We want to know exactly how these changes are affecting the diamond business. We need to look forward to see how we need to adapt as a trade in order to stay relevant to the needs and requirements of consumers. With some of the finest minds in the diamond industry taking part in this symposium, we are confident that we will be able to help chart a course through still dangerous waters.”

AWDC has also announced the keynote speakers of the event. The symposium would include a concentrated session on finance, to learn the change in outlook at the banking institutions serving the industry. The representatives of banking institutions who would address this session include - Victor van der Kwast, corporate executive vice president and CEO of ABN AMRO’s international diamond and jewellery business, Pierre de Bosscher, chief executive officer of the Antwerp Diamond Bank and Kishore Lall, Managing Director of Standard Chartered Bank.

The session on diamond supply will see speaker Des Kilalea, a veteran industry analyst currently working for the Royal Bank of Canada, speak on ‘Diamonds – Where will all the rough come from?”. Thomas Leysen, chairman of Umicore NV, a Belgian-based multinational materials technology company, and chairman of FEB-VBO (Federation of Belgian Enterprises) will also provide inputs at the symposium.

Mining companies including De Beers, Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and Alrosa will also be represented at the symposium. The symposium is slated for November 16 at the Province which is the seat of the government of the Province of Antwerp.