79e jaargang, nr 6, december 2009 / januari 2010
de belgische diamantnijverheid Periodieke uitgave van het Syndikaat der Belgische Diamantnijverheid Periodical Publication of the Syndicate of the Belgian Diamond Industry
editoriaal
Verantwoordelijke uitgever Responsable editor Eduard Denckens Schupstraat 9/11 2018 Antwerpen
Redactie en Publiciteit Editorial Office and Publicity SBD Hoveniersstraat 22, 2018 Antwerpen Tel. : 03/233.11.29 - Fax : 03/227.46.30 e-mail: sbd@sbd.be
Redactiecomité Editorial Board Eduard Denckens, Jos Heiremans, Linda Vancauwenberghe, Alfons Van Genechten, Yvan Verbraeck
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Hoe de sprekers op het recentelijk in Antwerpen gehouden diamantsymposium het “opnieuw alles normaal”, waarmee zij die bijeenkomst samenvattend afrondden, meenden te kunnen rechtvaardigen blijft ons een raadsel. Verre van ons om aan doemdenken te willen doen maar de gebeurtenissen van de voorbije dagen hebben op een meer dan overtuigende manier aangetoond dat de economische wereldcrisis nog lang niet voorbij is en misschien wel op een nieuw dieptepunt afstevent. Het is trouwens onbegrijpelijk dat de specialisten uit de bank- en diamantsector, die er het woord namen en van wie velen zelf een paar jaar geleden van de verleidelijke kredietlijnen in Dubai hebben willen profiteren, de financiële ineenstorting van dit in vele opzichten kunstmatige eiland niet hebben zien aankomen. Zij hebben er aldus toe bijgedragen de wereldeconomie met een nieuw crisisgevaar te confronteren en dit getuigt niet van een hoogstaande bedrijfsmoraal, precies datgene wat de wereldwijde diamantsector zo broodnodig heeft. Men kan zich dan ook niet van de vraag ontdoen of dat hele diamantsymposium geen slag in het water is geweest. Bovendien kunnen we er niet omheen vast te stellen dat het symposium, als geheel de moeilijkheden waarmee de diamantindustrie te kampen heeft, onder veel gepraat over de ruwhandel en over kredietlijnen in de diamanthandel heeft laten verdwijnen. Nochtans is en blijft Antwerpen het wereldcentrum van de diamantindustrie, wellicht niet meer wat betreft hoeveelheid geslepen karaat per jaar maar ongetwijfeld wat betreft de kwaliteit van
de in de Scheldestad geslepen goederen, de betrouwbaarheid van de alhier uitgeschreven diamantcertificaten en de door het WTOCD ontwikkelde wetenschappelijke kennis en bewerkingsapparatuur. Dat is een geheel van troeven waarover geen enkel concurrerend centrum beschikt. Wat de toekomst betreft, wensen wij in tegenstelling tot zoveel vermeende topjournalisten en financiële experts op het symposium, geen voorspellingen à la madame Blanche te doen maar geloven wij nog altijd in de macht van de arbeid en de enorme mogelijkheden die er nog op het gebied van de technische innovatie liggen, zonder de
ondernemingsgeest te vergeten, alsook onder de vorm van prospectie van de buitenlandse marktmogelijkheden. Wanneer het slecht gaat moeten we ons niet neerleggen bij de moeilijkheden die zich voordoen maar de handen uit de mouwen steken. Met sussende praatjes over ‘business as usual’ zijn we geen stap vooruit. Ieder van ons moet zelf met zijn handen en zijn gezond verstand aan de toekomst bouwen en daarbij bedenken dat er nog geen enkele crisis eeuwig is blijven duren. Eduard Denckens Voorzitter SBD
éditorial Comment les orateurs ont essayé de justifier leur ‘business as usual’ en guise de résumé pour le symposium sur le diamant qui s’est récemment déroulé à Anvers, reste pour nous un mystère. Loin de nous l’idée de vouloir être défaitiste, mais les événements des derniers jours ont tout de même clairement montré que la crise économique mondiale est loin d’être terminée et au contraire, qu’elle se dirige vers un nouveau creux. Il est d’ailleurs incompréhensible que les spécialistes des secteurs bancaire et diamantaire qui y ont pris la parole, et dont nombreux sont ceux qui ont voulu profiter il y a quelques années des lignes de crédit avantageuses de Dubaï, n’ont pas vu arriver l’effondrement financier de cette île artificielle à plus d’un égard. Dès lors, ils ont contribué à ce que l’économie mondiale soit confrontée à une nouvelle situation de crise, et cela ne témoigne pas d’une morale d’entreprise de haut niveau, alors que c’est précisément ce dont le secteur mondial du diamant a tellement besoin. On peut dès lors se demander si tout ce symposium diamantaire n’a pas été un coup d’épée dans l’eau. En outre, nous ne pouvons nous empêcher de constater que le symposium a balayé sous le tapis les difficultés auxquelles l’industrie du diamant est confrontée en palabrant sur le commerce du brut et sur les lignes de crédit dans le négoce du
diamant. Pourtant, Anvers est et reste le centre mondial de l’industrie diamantaire, sans doute plus du point de vue de la quantité de carats taillés, mais indubitablement sur le plan de la qualité des marchandises taillées dans la cité scaldienne, la fiabilité des certificats diamantaires délivrés et des connaissances scientifiques et des appareils de traitement mis au point par le WTOCD. C’est là un ensemble d’atouts dont ne dispose aucun centre concurrent. En ce qui concerne l’avenir, nous ne nous hasarderons pas, contrairement à de grands journalistes et experts financiers lors du symposium, à des prévisions de cartomanciennes, mais nous croyons toujours à la force du travail et aux possibilités énormes qui existent encore sur le plan des innovations techniques, sans oublier l’esprit d’entreprise, de même que la prospection des possibilités de marchés étrangers. Lorsque la situation est mauvaise, il ne faut pas capituler devant les difficultés mais retrousser ses manches. Des expressions comme « business as usual » ne nous feront pas avancer d’un pouce. Chacun d’entre nous doit travailler à l’avenir avec ses mains et sa tête, et bien se dire qu’aucune crise n’est éternelle. Eduard Denckens Président du SBD
editorial How the speakers at the recently held diamond symposium in Antwerp thought they could justify the ‘everything again normal’, with which they resumed in concluding this reunion, remains a puzzle to us. Far from us to be doom-mongers but
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the things that happened in the past days have showed in a more than convincing way that the economic world crisis is far from having come to an end or maybe even heading to a new nadir. It is as a matter of fact impossible to understand that
specialists from the banking and diamond sector, having been speaking there and of whom many have tried to take profit a couple of years ago from the seductive credit lines in Dubai, did not see arrive the financial collapse of this in many aspects artificial island. In this way they have contributed to confronting the world economy with a new danger of a crisis which bears witness to a lack of a high-principled company ethic, something the worldwide diamond sector needs badly. One cannot rid oneself of the question if the complete diamond symposium has not been a needless attempt. Moreover, we can only but come to the conclusion that the symposium as a whole has buried under a lot of talk about the rough trade and the credit lines the difficulties with which the diamond industry is confronted. Nevertheless Antwerp is and remains the world centre of the diamond industry, maybe not as far as the quantity of carats polished per year is concerned but without any doubt as far as the quality of the goods polished in the town at the river Scheldt and as far as the quality of the diamond certificates distributed in Antwerp and
the scientific knowledge developed by the Scientific and Technical Research Centre for Diamonds (WTOCD) and the working tools are concerned. That are a lot of trump cards of which no other competitive centre disposes. As far as the future is concerned, we do not wish, contrary to so many supposed top journalists and financial experts at the symposium, to do prophesies ‘à la madame Blanche’ but we still believe in the power of labour and in the enormous opportunities to be found in the field of technical innovation, without forgetting the spirit of enterprise as well as in the form of prospection of foreign market opportunities. When things are going bad we do not have to resign but we have to roll up our sleeves. Soothing talks about ‘business as usual’ don’t help us further. Everybody has to build the future with his hands and common sense, realizing that not one single crisis has been lasting forever. Eduard Denckens President SBD
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we hebben het voor u 3
Presidents’ Meeting IDMA/WFDB 2009 Deze tweejaarlijkse meeting waarbij internationale diamanttopics worden besproken, had dit jaar plaats in Antwerpen van 15 tot 18 november (in het Radisson Astrid Blu Hotel). De deelnemers van de Presidents’ Meeting konden op 16.11.09 deelnemen aan de Antwerp Diamond Conference, georganiseerd door AWDC. Om deze belangrijke internationale meeting in goede banen te leiden, werd een organisatiecomité opgericht waarin elke beurs (voor WFDB) en SBD (voor IDMA) vertegenwoordigd waren. Voor SBD waren dit Stanny Van Blerk en Albert Haberkorn. Als voorzitter van dit organisatiecomité werd dhr. Willy Henneuse aangeduid. En al gauw bleek dat dit een schitterende beslissing was, want de Presidents’ Meeting is over de ganse lijn vlekkeloos verlopen.
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Syndicate of the Belgian Diamond Industry and the Association of Diamond manufacturers from the Kempen a warm welcome to you all. Antwerp the leading diamond trading and financial center of the world would have never been able to maintain its prime position if not for the skills of its manufacturers and employed polishers. Though much reduced in numbers compared to the height in employment of the 1960’s, Antwerp has maintained its vital asset. Its unmatched and unique expertise in transforming a rough mineral into a unique piece of polished emotion. Chaim Even-Zohar in his obituary of our much esteemed colleague, the late Madhu Mehta pointed out to the foresightedness of Mr. Mehta being the first Antwerp based Indian diamantaire to recognize the immense and unique pool of skills of the Flemish diamond polisher. The rest is history. The most successful manufacturing operations today have had at its basis a solid dose of Flemish input. 4
Any large trading center cannot hope to establish itself for the long term without a firm skill base in diamond manufacturing. I would just like to pay tribute to the leader and tireless promoter of diamond manufacturing in Belgium, Eduard Denckens, whose vision and commitment has enabled this industry to maintain its tradition of excellence. The largest and most important diamonds, as you are all aware of, have never left Anwerp in a rough form but have and still are exported as unique pieces, testimony to the unique Antwerp art of polishing and grading expertise. This Presidents’ Meeting is calling for our renewed attention to the challenges to the Kimberley Process involving the apparent lack of resolve by the KP chair to debate in full the unacceptable situation regarding Zimbabwe. Make no mistake future refusal by the KP to address these humanitarian abuses comprehensively, can only lead to further discredit this unique conflict preventive system. Without clear resolve, issues around sustained long term capacity building, strong governance and the fair beneficiation of income of commodity mining will result in the KP staying short of its potential with the dire consequences we have been witness to, for far too long.
The issue of the link between rough prices and over-capacity in the industry as well as its financing structures and the upcoming requirements in capital and solvability ratio’s will be addressed aswell. The absence of a level playing field in these areas is no doubt a cause for concern. Last but not least these debates will take place in what I would describe as the now well anchored multi polar landscape of the diamond and jewellery trade. We are witnessing, a shift from the traditional consuming centers to the young and emerging ones. An unprecedented opportunity for all in the industry. Again, reciprocity in open and fair access to market and capital is a crucial element we will need to focus on. All these issues, as well as the critical aspect surrounding clear and transparent nomenclature impact directly on “consumer confidence” in our product. We must not shy away of confronting these head-on. Fair and full disclosure lies at the core of our responsibilities. The long term value proposition of diamonds is at stake. Industry organization representing thousands of
Arthur Beller, voorzitter van de Federatie der Belgische Diamantbeurzen en Ronnie VanderLinden, secretaris-generaal van IDMA
members and billion of dollars of turnover and added-value must be accountable. We must continuously question our relevance and value to those who have entrusted us with these responsibilities. This is true at the international level but, I dare to say, even more so at the level of the local centers as they constitute the basis of our reputation. Whatever we will debate, argue and hopefully agree to, will have been done within the most sophisticated infrastructure in the diamond industry worldwide.
Panel of the Joint Session IDMA/WFDB: Michael H. Vaughan, Secretary-General/Executive Director WFDB; Shmuel Schnitzer, Honorary Life President WFDB; Eli Izhakoff, Honorary Life President WFDB and Chairman WDC; Avi Paz, President WFDB and President The Israel Diamond Exchange; Ernie Blom, Vice-President WFDB/Honorary Life President WFDB/President Diamond Dealers Club of South Africa; Dieter Hahn, TreasurerGeneral WFDB; Ronnie VanderLinden, Secretary-General IDMA
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Presidents of IDMA: - Migogo Braen (South Africa), Sandro Sze (China), Burhan Seber (Namibia), Udi Sheintal (Israel), Gerd Meng (Germany), Ronnie Friedman (USA) and Ben Kinzler (USA) - Eduard Denckens (Belgium), K. H. Meng (Germany), Moti Ganz (President IDMA), Ronnie VanderLinden (Secretary-General IDMA) and Stephane Fischler (Treasurer IDMA) - Vasant Mehta (India), present but not at the photo
Last but not least a strong sign of appreciation to the organizers and the other members of the organizing committee will allow me, to make a special mention of Mr. Willy Henneuse who has worked tirelessly to make this happen. So, please take full advantage of what Antwerp, Flanders and your host have to offer.
Willy Henneuse, voorzitter van het OrganisatiecomitĂŠ van de Presidentsmeeting en Ronnie Unterman, medeorganisator
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Wishing you all a most successful and entertaining stay among us. Thank You. Stephane Fischler Vice President SBD Treasurer IDMA
Moti Ganz, voorzitter van IDMA en Avi Paz, voorzitter van WFDB
J. Drybooms; W. Rotti; D. Wahl en A. Beller: voorzitters van de resp. 4 diamantbeurzen in Antwerpen
Willy Rotti, Voorzitter van de Diamantclub van Antwerpen met vader en zoon Meng, van het Bundesverband der Edelstein- und Diamantindustrie
Willy Henneuse, voorzitter van het organisatiecomitĂŠ, die een geschenk aangeboden krijgt van de Federatie der Belgische Diamantbeurzen, als waardering voor zijn efficiĂŤnte organisatie van de Presidentsmeeting in Antwerpen
Gerrit Blommaert, kantoordirecteur KBC BANK Antwerpen Diamant met Stanny Van Blerk, medeorganisator van de Presidentsmeeting en secretaris van SBD tijdens het diner in de Diamantbeurs
Vlaams Minister-President Kris Peeters en zijn echtgenote, aan tafel met Arthur Beller tijdens het Closing Diner
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Tijdens de IDMA meeting heeft Yves KERREMANS, Directeur van WTOCD & HRD Antwerp NV/Research een presentatie gegeven over Hearts & Arrows:
This presentation gives an overview of the H&A fundamentals and describes the WTOCD H&A project to develop the quality hallmark Hearts & Arrows by HRD Antwerp. H&A diamonds are round brilliants with special patterns visible when viewed under specific lighting conditions. They consist of eight hearts when viewed from the pavilion side and eight arrows when viewed from the crown side. A strong relationship exists between the H&A patterns and the quality of the cut. The presence of H&A patterns are proof of uniformity and symmetry, while on the other hand top quality proportions and symmetry are necessary to obtain the H&A patterns. Essential to objective and repeatable grading of H&A diamonds is the way the patterns are viewed. The WTOCD H&A project consisted of three main parts: the development of a state-of-the-art viewer, the definition of clear guidelines and the
development of dedicated software to analyze and grade the patterns. This resulted in an expert system that delivers objective and highly repeatable grading results. Information on H&A in general and Hearts & Arrows by HRD Antwerp can be downloaded from the website from WTOCD: http://www.wtocd.be/Diamond/D_Articles.htm
IDMA accepts Diamond Manufacturers Association of Namibia as the organization's 15th member Members of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) voted to accept the Diamond Manufacturers Association of Namibia (DiaMAN) as the organization's 15th member. The decision was made at the 2009 Presidents' Meeting held in Antwerp in November. Namibia becomes the third African country to obtain membership in IDMA. DiaMAN president Burhan Seber thanked the IDMA members for accepting his organisation to IDMA's ranks. "IDMA was very welcoming and made us immediately feel part of the group," he noted. IDMA president Moti Ganz said membership in IDMA was not only a clear indication of Namibia's growing power as a diamond manufacturing nation, but also solid proof that its diamond supply pipeline is tightly controlled and fully
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transparent. "Namibia's membership adds yet another cornerstone to our organization, and by joining South Africa and Botswana, strengthens the African membership within IDMA," Ganz noted in welcoming the DiaMAN to IDMA. "Diamond manufacturers fulfill a crucial role in the diamond supply pipeline. Our association cannot, and will not, at any time and under any circumstances, allow rough diamonds to be manufactured by our members, or by anyone else if we can help it, unless they have been sourced and purchased in compliance with the KP certification system," he stated. "If our industry is to grow its market share, diamond jewellery consumers need to be absolutely confident that the diamond polished by us are indeed a significant means for growth, employment and prosperity in the regions where these diamonds are sourced," the IDMA president added.
IDMA and WFDB reconfirm their commitment to World Diamond Council and Kimberley Process Certification Scheme At the conclusion of the 2009 Presidents’ Meeting held in Antwerp, November 15-18 - the presidents of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) and the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) issued a statement which emphasized the organizations’ unequivocal commitment and determination to uphold the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and the principles of the World Diamond Council of which IDMA and the WFDB are co-founding members. In their statement, the presidents said that after intensive discussions, they resolved to send a clear message to the players in the diamond supply chain. “IDMA and the WFDB reconfirm their commitment to end and prevent the use of rough diamonds for the purpose of funding conflict, anywhere in the world. We reiterate that our endorsement of the Kimberley Process, the World Diamond Council and the Supportive System of Warranties remains
strong,” they declared. The organizations stated that the KP has prevented and will continue to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds into the legitimate markets. To that extent, the organizations expect full and timely implementation of the stringent controls that were agreed at the KP Plenary meeting in Swakopmund, Namibia, November 5, 2009. IDMA and WFDB noted the decision of Zimbabwe not to export rough diamonds from Marange pending full implementation of the monitoring system. Any member who trades in rough diamonds from Marange prior to the full implementation of this monitoring system and in full compliance of the KP resolution will be subject to expulsion. “The attending IDMA and WFDB presidents further stated that any human rights abuses linked to diamond mining and processing cannot and will not be tolerated.
Tijdens de Presidentsmeeting konden de echtgenotes deelnemen aan het dames-programma; nl. een bezoek aan Maasmechelen-Village; een bezoek aan het Pand en de St. Baafskathedraal in Gent, en een bezoek aan het Rubenshuis in Antwerpen. Mevrouw W. Henneuse-Florizoone coördineerde deze activiteiten.
Em. prof. Etienne Vermeersch geeft uitleg aan de dames in de 'bibliotheek der dominicanen' in het Pand (foto UGent, Hilde Christiaens)
Bezoek aan het Rubenshuis Chirstel Hahn (Duitsland / Idar-Oberstein) Chantal Florizoone (België) Irina Popov (Rusland / Moscou) Akemi Iwasaki (Japan / Tokyo) Liliane Gottlob-Inzlicht (Antwerpen) Angèle Sternberg (Antwerpen) Rohita Vora (Canada) Louise Hager (London) Mary Vaughan (Antwerpen)
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WFDB concludes 2009 Presidents’ Meeting in Antwerp, underscores growing importance of trade in diamond distribution chain The World Federation of Diamond Bourses wrapped up its 2009 Presidents’ Meeting today with a vote of confidence in the inherent strength of the diamond trade, which it credited with being the buttress that enabled the diamond business pull through through the global financial crisis intact. In an address to the Presidents’ Meeting, in which he reviewed the current state of the diamond industry, WFDB President Avi Paz credited the role played by the thousands of small and medium sized companies, whose representatives make up the bulk of the various WFDB bourses’ membership. “The reason our industry maintained its stability in a relative way during the past 12 months, is not only due to the large companies' reaction to the downturn but also, very much so, to the resiliency and leadership of the secondary market,” Paz said. “The behaviour of the small and medium size companies minimised the damage to the members of our industry and enabled the pipeline to continue working.” “One can definitely say, that the small and medium sized companies proved themselves to be the backbone of the recovery – exactly as they were the backbone for recovery in the crisis years of the 1980s. They are not heavily indebted and they hold the liquidity that provides stability to our industry,” Paz added. The Presidents’ Meeting, which began on November 15, brought together the senior leadership of the WFDB global membership, which includes 28 diamond exchanges in 19 countries. Presidents’ Meetings take place in consecutive years in which World Diamond Congresses are not held. In an address to the Presidents’ Meeting, industry analyst Chaim Even-Zohar delivered the results of a report commissioned by the WFDB to examine the relative contribution of the diamond trade to the diamond distribution pipeline. The data collected indicates that the diamond trade’s position in the pipeline has not only not diminished over the past 10
10 years, but it actually stronger than it once was, Even-Zohar reported. The expanded role of the diamond trading sector proved its worth during this most recent financial crisis, Even-Zohar said. “In every previous diamond-industry crisis or economic recession after World War II, it were the producers who maintained the industry’s ‘buffer stock”’ and were willing to stockpile and wait for the storms to recede. But at the beginning of this century, producer policies changed; they would not use their stocks to support the market in adverse economic conditions ....The effect was that at the eve of the crisis, the industry’s buffer stocks were held mostly by the trading community. What has been disparagingly referred to as the enormous ‘fragmentation’ of the industry, in fact turned out to have been a most fortunate dispersion of stocks and of economic and commercial risks. ”Consumer confidence was a key theme of the President’s Meeting. During the meeting, the WFDB endorsed a new price list for polished diamonds that is being introduced by IDEX Online. At the conclusion of the Presidents’ Meeting it was confirmed that the 2010 World Diamond Congress will take place in Moscow starting on Sunday, July 11. It will hosed by the Diamond Chamber of Russia and the Moscow Diamond Bourse. The 2011 Presidents’ Meeting will be held in Dubai and will be hosted by the Dubai Diamond Exchange.
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Kimberley Process Plenary meeting further strengthens international efforts to combat trade with conflict diamonds The Kimberley Process Plenary meeting was held in Swakopmund (Namibia) from 2 to 5 November 2009 and adopted important decisions to enhance the international fight against conflict diamonds. The participants of the Kimberley Process notably reviewed the situation in the Marange diamond mining area of Zimbabwe, in light of non-compliance with the requirements of the Kimberley Process and reports of violence and human rights violations. A work plan was agreed with Zimbabwe providing for necessary actions to bring diamond mining in Marange into compliance with the Kimberley Process. The implementation of the work plan will be closely monitored, and exports of Marange diamonds will be subject to prior verification of compliance. In addition, the Kimberley Process Plenary adopted key decisions concerning the cooperation on enforcement of the rules, and decided to pursue monitoring of ‘conflict diamonds’ from Côte d’Ivoire in light of UNSC resolution 1893 (2009).The European Community (EC) fully endorses the decisions adopted at the Kimberley Process' Swakopmund Plenary meeting, and in particular the KP decision and action plan agreed to address Zimbabwe's noncompliance in the Marange mining area. Zimbabwe's commitment to undertake a series of ambitious actions to bring diamond mining in Marange in compliance with the minimum requirements and to subject exports of Marange diamonds to independent verification pending full compliance is a welcome step. At the same time the EC strongly urges Zimbabwe to start implementation of the action plan without delay and underlines the importance attached to Zimbabwe devoting significant effort and resources to that effect before the next Plenary . Zimbabwe needs to devote substantial effort and resources to that effect. The EC will actively contribute to the monitoring of the action plan as a key element to protect the integrity of the Kimberley Process and ensure that Marange diamonds contribute to Zimbabwe's economic development and do not fuel further violence and human rights violations. The EC further calls on the Kimberley Process participants to improve regional cooperation and implement international vigilance measures in order to contain the flow of illicit diamonds from Marange. In addition, the EC also welcomes adoption of a decision to enhance cooperation on enforcement, as well as the decision to increase oversight of Guinea's diamond production and trade. Furthermore, the EC fully supports the continuing engagement and monitoring of diamond production in Côte d'Ivoire, in light of UN Security Council Resolution 1893 (2009). The Democratic Republic of Congo has been selected as 2011 Kimberley Process Chair.
Background The Kimberley Process grew out of discussions in May 2000 in Kimberley, South Africa among interested governments, the international diamond industry and civil society, as a unique
initiative to combat ‘conflict diamonds’ – rough diamonds used to finance devastating conflicts in some of Africa’s diamondproducing countries. In November 2002, an agreement was reached on the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS): an innovative system imposing extensive requirements on all Participants to control all imports and exports of rough diamonds and to put in place rigorous internal controls over production and trade to ensure that conflict diamonds could not enter the legal diamond trade. In a few years, the Kimberley Process has helped to reduce the amount of conflict diamonds to a tiny fraction of world trade. The Kimberley Process is backed by the United Nations; and the General Assembly renewed its support most recently in December 2008. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme now has 49 Participants (equalling 75 countries with the European Community counting as a single Participant), including all major diamond producing, trading and polishing centres, and counts on the active participation of civil society and industry groups. To ensure the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process, its requirements – including effective internal controls over diamond production and trade – must be applied in full by all Participants. The Kimberley Process has developed a number of tools to enable assessment of implementation and to address any issues which may arise. These tools include regular statistical reporting, annual reports and other compliance verification measures, such as review missions to participants where there are ‘credible indications of significant noncompliance’. In Nov. 2008, the Government of Zimbabwe launched operation ‘Hakudzwoki’ (no return), deploying considerable military resources to take control of the Marange diamond fields. Operation Hakudzowki was publicly associated in the press with reports of violence and human rights abuses, which have been denied by the Government. In response to developments in Marange the KP adopted a double-track approach, developing specific measures to contain the flow of illicit diamonds (international vigilance and regional cooperation against smuggling), and responding to reports of smuggling and violence (public statement expressing ‘growing concerns at the reports of violence and indications of smuggling in the Marange mining area’, sending of a KP Highlevel envoy in March 2009). A KP review mission visited Zimbabwe in July 2009 and concluded on ‘indications of serious non-compliance’ with KP requirements, raising questions as to Zimbabwe’s position in the KP. The KP Plenary in Swakopmund reviewed the situation and discussed Zimbabwe’s plans to bring mining in Marange into compliance with KP requirements.
For further details on EU and Kimberley Process: http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/blood_diamonds/index_en.htm
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Juridisch Nieuws Inspectie en huiszoekingsmacht Sinds 2006 heeft de arbeidsinspectie meer bevoegdheden gekregen. Wat voor gevolgen heeft dit voor de werkgever? De controle ambtenaren van RSZ, RVA, sociale wetten, aanwezigheidslijsten en toezicht op welzijn op het werk hebben hiermede meer macht gekregen dan vroeger. Zij hebben geen werkelijk “huiszoekingsbevel” zoals het parket maar wel een “huiszoekingsbevoegdheid”. Dit geeft aan de inspecteur de volmacht om actief te zoeken naar alle documenten die hij wenst te vinden; hij moet dus geen machtiging meer vragen aan een rechter (hierdoor moest hij vroeger na zijn eerste bezoek nog eens terugkomen). Het belangrijk verschil is dat waar hij vroeger alleen kon vragen naar de nodige documenten hij nu een werkelijk beslagrecht heeft op al uw sociale documenten dus niet alleen uw dossiers maar ook alle gegevens die op uw computer, gsm, blackberry of iPhone staan. De enige beperking is dat het alleen om sociale gegevens mag gaan. Dus heeft hij recht om uw arbeidscontracten, uurroosters, individuele rekeningen, uitbetalingen van wedden en premies of andere voordelen in beslag te nemen. Maar andere gegevens zoals facturen, vergunningen of andere boekhoudkundige documenten die hij belangrijk zou vinden voor het onderzoek mag hij ook in beslag nemen. Daarentegen, heeft hij geen recht op persoonlijke informaties zoals afspraken of uw persoonlijke agenda. Wat rechtstreeks verband houdt met sociale wetgeving mag hij in beslag nemen, andere gegevens die in het onderzoek nodig zouden blijken moet hij laten kopiëren. Het addertje onder het gras is wel dat er geen duidelijke richtlijnen zijn van wat wel mag en niet mag. Waar vroeger de inspecteur vroeg om uw medewerking heeft hij nu de mogelijkheid om uw bureel of werkplaats volledig te onderzoeken, uit de kasten dossiers te halen en in beslag te nemen en al 12
wat enigszins verband zou kunnen hebben met zijn opdracht. Nochtans, indien u afwezig zou zijn, mag de inspecteur geen beslag leggen zonder uw aanwezigheid of goedkeuring, maar indien u niet bereikbaar zou zijn of medewerking weigert mag hij overgaan tot inbeslagname. Bij een inbeslagname van een inspecteur is het aan te raden om een inventaris op te maken van de in beslag genomen stukken, dit geldt ook bij alle in beslagnamen, niet alleen bij sociale inspectie. Dit inventaris kan dan overgemaakt worden aan uw raadsman, hij zal dan kunnen oordelen of er stukken bij waren die niet onder de inspectie bevoegdheid vielen. Dit kunnen natuurlijk belangrijke elementen zijn voor het verder onderzoek alsook voor de nodige verdediging bij de arbeidsrechtbank. Een speciale vordering voor de arbeidsrechtbank in kortgeding is zelfs mogelijk tegen een inspecteur die te ver zou gegaan zijn. Indien de inspecteur de procedures of de deontologie niet gevolgd heeft kan men een klacht neerleggen bij de sociale inspectie of indien er een pro justitia opgemaakt werd kan men zich zelfs wenden tot de arbeidsauditeur. U hebt dus het recht te weigeren om sommige documenten die geen verband houden met het rechtstreeks onderzoek voor te leggen. Het risico is wel dat er een pv zal worden opgemaakt voor het verhinderen van een onderzoek, waarop natuurlijk zware boetes zouden kunnen opgelegd worden. Het is hiervoor aan te raden om steeds medewerking te verlenen en zich niet op te winden; in een serene atmosfeer verlopen die onderzoeken in een goede verstandhouding en met wederzijds respect zoals het hoort. Eddy Vleeschdrager Lid SBD
Onderzoek en Innovatie in al zijn facetten Research and Innovation in all its facets
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Kempense tentoonstelling ‘Schitterend geslepen’ is tournee langs elf gemeenten gestart Op 7 december jongstleden werd in de gemeente Nijlen het startschot gegeven van het vooralsnog meest prestigieuze en indrukwekkende initiatief van het regionaal erfgoedproject ‘Schitterend geslepen’. Het gaat hier om een interactieve tentoonstelling, gewijd aan het rijke Kempense diamantverleden. Dat Nijlen daar de spits van mocht afbijten lag als het ware voor de hand omdat deze gemeente gedurende decennia het kloppende hart van die Kempense diamantindustrie geweest is. Tot en met 31 december 2010 zal deze tentoonstelling langs tien gemeenten en steden trekken, die in deze geschiedenis eveneens een cruciale rol gespeeld hebben, met name Putte, Berlaar, Herenthout, Antwerpen, Lille Vorselaar, Olen, Herentals, Lier en Grobbendonk. Met enorme inspanningen zijn de initiatiefnemers erin geslaagd verloren gewaande foto’s en filmfragmenten en oud diamantbewerkersgereedschap van de ondergang te redden en ook unieke getuigenissen vast te leggen. Dit is van enorm belang, omdat men er zich rekenschap van moet geven dat de laatste getuigen van deze activiteiten er binnen afzienbare tijd niet meer zullen zijn. Wat dit laatste betreft kunnen we beslist niet voorbijgaan aan het schitterende werk dat geleverd werd door de op 1 januari 2009 van start gegane ‘Erfgoedcel Kempens Karakter’, die in de loop van de voorbije maanden heel in het bijzonder aandacht besteedde aan mondelinge verhalen. Deze cel trok inderdaad door de regio om
de mensen hun diamantverhaal te laten vertellen. Deze mondelinge getuigenissen vormen het zo noodzakelijke tegengewicht voor wat vooral een ambachtelijke en vaak illegale thuisnijverheid is geweest, die uit hoofde van haar karakter weinig materiële sporen nagelaten heeft. De cel, die een vereniging is van de gemeenten Grobbendonk, Herentals, Herenthout, Lille, Olen, Nijlen en Vorselaar, werd in het leven geroepen om de grote hoeveelheid roerend en immaterieel erfgoed te bewaren en heeft zich tot op heden vooral toegespitst op drie belangrijke thema’s, namelijk de volksgebruiken, het erfgoed dat voortspruit uit de specifieke landschappelijke context, en het lokale vakmanschap, aldus voorzitter Jeroen Janssens. In dat verband legt hij er tevens de nadruk op dat de Erfgoedcel Kempens Karakter “het knooppunt is waar vrijwilligers, professionals, administraties en andere partners elkaar kunnen ontmoeten, waar behoud, beheer, wetenschappelijk onderzoek, publiekswerking en communicatie samenvloeien en waar erfgoed, cultuur, toerisme en natuur elkaar raken.” Wat in het bijzonder de diamantindustrie aangaat zullen, aldus Jeroen Janssens, “de Kempense diamantverhalen ook een belangrijke plaats krijgen in het diamantmuseum van Grobbendonk en de diamantslijperij Lieckens in Nijlen, die op die manier tot regionale ankerpunten voor het diamantair erfgoed van de Kempen zullen uitgroeien en de hele streek een toeristische
Een historische foto van een Nijlense diamantslijperij
Diamantlijperij Lieckens in Nijlen anno 2009 en intussen het 10.000ste beschermde monument
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meerwaarde zullen bieden”. Begonnen is het eigenlijk allemaal met de Nijlense heemkundige vereniging ‘De Poemp’, die in haar bestuur meerdere oud-diamantbewerkers telt en de eerste stoot tot het bewaren van de diamantslijperij Lieckens heeft gegeven. Mee dank zij de inzet van de Erfgoedcel Kempens Karakter is die slijperij in 2008 reeds het 10.000ste beschermd monument in Vlaanderen geworden. Na de vertelreeks ‘Briljante verhalen’ in 2008 moeten nu de tentoonstelling ‘Schitterend geslepen’ en het voor 2010 geplande boek tot nieuwe publiekstreffers uitgroeien en de dynamiek van het project naar een hoogtepunt voeren. Begonnen is het intussen allemaal in de patio van het gemeentehuis van Nijlen, waar men tot 6 januari 2010 ook de fototentoonstelling ‘Het steentje in Nijlen: gisteren en vandaag’ kan bezoeken, en waar Etienne Van den Bulcke van fotoclub Folerman Nijlen beelden van een aantal (voormalige) diamantwerkplaatsen aldaar toont. Al met al zouden we hier willen stellen dat de Antwerpse diamantindustrie in de Kempen eindelijk de aandacht krijgt die zij verdient maar tot
op heden onvoldoende gekregen heeft omdat zij telkens weer in de schaduw van de geschiedenis van de diamanthandel en van zogeheten prestigieuze juwelententoonstellingen geplaatst wordt. De data van de reizende tentoonstelling vindt men via www.kempenskarakter.be. (YV)
Een leerling-diamantslijper aan het werk in Berlaar
De Beers sells stake in AK06 De Beers will sell its effective 70% share in the AK06 diamond deposit to Lucara Diamond Corporation, a Canadian junior diamond mining company, for US$49 million in cash. The sale, which is subject to a number of conditions including the consent of the Government of Botswana, became an option once the global economic crisis constrained the project to a smaller mining plan. Smaller mines do not fit into De Beers’ global production portfolio, which is focused on large-scale projects that deliver superior rates of return and the right production volumes. This transaction enables other operators to bring a Botswana mine into production for the benefit of the country. Stephen Lussier, Chairman of De Beers Botswana commented, “This is a win-win solution for diamond mining in Botswana. While De Beers will focus its resources in Botswana on largescale projects that give us a better strategic fit - and in this regard expects to announce a major $500 million expansion project at the Jwaneng mine in the coming month - smaller
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operators will have the opportunity to bring AK06 into production, helping to reinforce Botswana’s position as the world’s leading diamond producing country.”
DENCKENS Eduard
Dennenlaan 2 2243 Zandhoven Tel. 03.484.30.32
Antwerp Diamond Symposium
Chairpeople of the industry workshops: Chaim Pluczenik, Dilip Mehta, Kaushik Mehta, Iris Van Der Veken, Frank Fensie and Zohar as moderator. Members of the diamond industry participated in the 2009 Antwerp Diamond Symposium, which was latest in the series of conferences organised by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre to examine the state of the world diamond industry and its prospects for the future. The theme of the 2009 symposium was the "Diamond Industry in the New Economy." Leading opinion makers from within the industry and in associated sectors examined the business and the markets as the world economy begins the process of recovery from the global recession that struck toward the end of 2008.
A DETAILED SUMMARY: Diamond sector considers the ‘new normal’in the post recession economy Stability in the diamond market, concerns over sharply rising rough prices, praise for the policies of diamond miners and banks and a "new normal" in the global economy were the main themes of the second Antwerp Diamond Symposium held on November 16. Although the mood of participants at the event, organised by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), was far calmer than at the first-ever symposium held last November when the global financial crisis was at its height, diamantaires nevertheless stressed that a full recovery was still some way off. The symposium was opened by AWDC CEO Freddy J. Hanard who said the diamond trade's stakeholders came together last year, to discuss a strategy in times of financial insecurity. Thanks to the decisions taken during the first diamond symposium, new strategic business models and practices had been developed. Despite a calmer mood in global markets, the 2009 symposium had been necessary due to changing world conditions which called for the diamond industry to come
Chaim Even-
together to debate current developments. As the world's largest diamond trading centre, Antwerp was the ideal meeting place for dialogue, he said. "Many of you were here last year when we held the first symposium in an atmosphere of financial uncertainty. The symposium gave us all the opportunity to explore issues affecting us all and we made a great deal of progress. In the last year, the key stakeholders have come together and shown collective responsibility. This was satisfying for us at the AWDC because facilitating dialogue is an important part of our work. We have navigated through the challenges and we are stronger now. "We are stronger now, so the question is: Do we need another symposium? The answer is yes because we are living in a changing world and we need to come together to understand the changes. Strategies and practices of businesses throughout the pipeline have changed. Mining companies have not been immune to the changes and have rethought their sales strategies,” Hanard stated. "The gravity of the issues facing us should not scare us," Hanard said. "If we act proactively we will succeed. We have the destiny of the industry in our hands. Are we looking for answers, results and predictions? We will not solve all of the problems today, but we can get an insight into how we can go forward. I do not doubt that the different messages carried out through this symposium, will be put into practice in coming months. ”Hanard was followed by Cathy Berx, Governor of the Province of Antwerp who revisited some of the comments she made at the 2008 symposium to illustrate the fact that Antwerp's long history as a diamond trading centre should give diamantaires confidence about the future. Berx spoke about the massive government stimulus plans that have saved the global economy from sinking into a 1930s style Great Depression.
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She warned diamantaires that governments agree there was an urgent need for new regulations on the financial community, but the process in bringing this about was proving slow due to the need for consistently applied financial regulation across the globe. "With the talk of new regulation, the banks clearly understand that they soon will be facing higher capital requirements. But by how much? It is difficult to say. As long as the banks don’t know the rules of the game, says [economist] Kenneth Rogoff, they will continue to be cautious in their credit policies. And that puts a drag on trade."
Sales to rebound in 2010, but only moderately at retail Symposium moderator Chaim Even-Zohar and economist Pranay Narvekar provided detailed statistics on sale figures throughout the diamond pipeline in the last two years and a forecast for 2010. However, Even-Zohar began with asking whether anyone would have believed in November 2008 that the industry would be in a relatively strong position just a year later.
A key speech to the symposium was delivered by Thomas Leysen, Chairman of the Belgian Federation of Enterprises (VBO). He provided the perspective of a business leader from outside the diamond sector. "During my travels abroad as part of state delegations, we see that the diamond industry provides Belgium with both glamour and importance", he said. "It is a calling card for our country and its image. Antwerp has weathered the crisis well, in part through the diversification of markets. The results will take time to come to fruition, but it is heartening to see that the process has started."
"During the decade leading up to the collapse of the markets in September last year, the dominant or dominating philosophy – depending on where you stand – was that government’s primary role was to ensure that business be allowed to do what it knows best, undisturbed. Today, with the benefit of hindsight, we realise this was an approach that was perhaps followed too zealously. More careful oversight in the financial markets, coupled with better managed checks and balances, may have helped the world economy avoid the crisis. As it was, the financial system was saved from the brink of disaster by massive injections of government capital. By staying away, government ironically found itself more involved in the markets than it ever had intended." Berx said it was "reasonable to expect" a recovery in the diamond markets during 2010, possibly beginning with the 2009 Christmas season. But she warned that it was generally accepted that the recovery would be slow. "Here in Antwerp we have seen that across the board, and not only in the diamond sector. Container traffic at the Port of Antwerp fell by 18.4 percent during the first nine months of the year, compared to the same period in 2008. However, it did appear to stabilise during the third quarter of the year."
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"There are no more insolvencies, the main producers cut back sales to the market and received strong shareholder support for doing so,” Even-Zohar stated. The steep fall in prices was contained and the trend is up again, and manufacturers and cutters brought in $1 billion of equity to strengthen their positions. The diamond industry managed without large government bailouts. India had the courage to reduce costs and worker numbers some of whom were rehired when the situation turned around. There was successful and orderly debt reduction without distress sales." However, most polished diamond prices are below those of January 2008, and there is still a mismatch between rough and polished. Confidence is still very low, and consumer confidence is lower than that of business confidence. Consumers are still not really back yet, he said. The industry is in a stability phase and not fully out of the crisis yet. Presenting figures for the performance of the diamond business, he said retail diamond demand in 2008 was down 9 percent on 2007. He forecast that the 2009 figure would be down 9.7 percent on 2008, while in 2010 there would be a slight rise of 0.4 percent on 2009. As for the cutting centres, polished demand in 2008 was $18.8 billion, but in 2009 would fall 27 percent to $13.7 billion, however it would rise by 25 percent next year to $17.1 billion. In the rough market, while sales amounted to $13.4 billion in 2008, they would drop to $7.5 billion this year and rise to $12.5 billion in 2010. Meanwhile, Pranay Narvekar said the banks had supported the diamond industry "admirably", particularly during mid-2009 which had been a critical period. In addition, the financial stimulus packages of central banks throughout the world had helped shore up retail sales. He said that the level of diamond companies borrowing was down by around 30 percent, and estimated the global diamond sector's indebtedness at $11.5 billion.
He described the state of the diamond markets as being in stabilisation mode, and said that 2010 would see a "new equilibrium." He said that new markets, including India, China and the Middle East, would emerge "as against the power of the United States." American retail sales would continue to decline while emerging market sales rose. Unemployment in the United States and continuing uncertainty would further affect demand. There would be large rises in rough and polished demand next year, and a need for refinancing would be felt by the end of 2010 as growth begins and the industry falls short. "The banks will need to support the diamond industry, and we will need to make sensible business choices. But will the banks want to pump in an extra $1.7 billion? The depreciation of the dollar will lead to an increase in the cost of doing business for all the large diamond centres. Debt-equity ratios will need to be kept in check," Narvekar said.
Considering the ‘new normal’ Even-Zohar then explained what he meant by the "new normal" in the market. There would have to be corporate deleveraging with banks looking for better debt-equity ratios. In addition, the diamond industry had to understand that it was fighting with many other sectors for credit from banking institutions. The Basel II banking regulations which, even before the financial crisis, were proposing more stringent financial conditions for bank clients could soon be overtaken with a large range of new financial regulations. In addition, there was likely to be increased government intervention in financial and corporate affairs, while reputational issues were likely to become even more important. Even-Zohar raised the issue as to whether more "recycled" diamonds were likely to come on the market, saying that the recycling of even a small part of existing diamonds was likely to have a significant effect on the market. He gave the example of the gold market where recycled gold this year was equal to 60 percent of new mine production. "There is hard evidence to suggest that considerable recycling has already taken place, although it is difficult to state how much exactly."
ethical consumerism was a "subtle" problem since different consumers saw the issue in different ways. "Business ethics and transparency, labour practices, environmental issues: people are affected by different issues when making diamond jewellery purchases, and we must not ignore this issue." In an energetic address towards the end of the symposium which left the audience in an upbeat mood, industry analyst Ken Gassman presented a different approach the new normal. "Is the jewellery business going out of business," he rhetorically asked, replying that humans having been making and wearing jewellery for 50,000 years. "The crisis of the past year is not going to derail the jewellery industry. Will consumers stop shopping? Definitely, the answer is 'no'. The number of jewellery sales has been rising since December 2008." He said the problems affecting the industry are well-known: a lack of credit, falling demand, and conspicuous jewellery consumption going out of fashion due to the depth of the recession in the United States. On the other hand, however, the economy is recovering, there are more people in shopping malls, jewellers are seeing higher conversion rates, and the bridal jewellery sector remains strong. "Are people delaying weddings because of the recession? The answer is 'No'." Gassman said jewellery sales in November-December this year will be slightly above those of the same period last year albeit well below the same months in 2006 and 2007. By 2011, they will have recovered. He also made a 10-year forecast for jewellery sales, seeing growth of 4-5 percent due to the bridal market, rising incomes, financial recovery and an expanding market. He also pointed to the phenomenon of female self-purchasing as a reason for optimism. "There are more young women working, and the gap between men's and women's salaries is closing, particularly women in the 25-30 age group," Gassman said. "By 2050, there will be 60 million more women in the U.S. market. They want lower price points, fashion-oriented jewellery and they want flash for cash."
Tim Dabson, DTC Executive Director for Beneficiation, also dealt with the new normal, speaking about market shifts caused by changing demographics, the growing strength of India and China, and the rise ethical consumerism. In the United States, between 1997-2007, the number of Americans in 55+ age group almost doubled, and since that is an age group who know and like diamonds, the development was encouraging. On the other hand, the percentage of younger consumers has steadily fallen. "Do we know the iPod generation? Will diamond jewellery be important to them? If not, how do we adapt to that." In the Indian and Chinese markets, although diamond jewellery sales are rising, the aspect of value for money is more than twice as important for their consumers as it is for their counterparts in the United States, and more important than the symbolism of love and commitment. Meanwhile, the issue of
Clark Mc Ewen and Georges Brijs CEO HRD Antwerp NV
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Gassman also said that he did not entirely agree with Tim Dabson's comments about the younger generation not being interested in jewellery purchases. "I see that younger shoppers of all ages have cash to spend, and all ages want diamond jewellery. Younger people buy almost as much as the 25-34year-olds. They like buying jewellery, but they may not be buying diamond jewellery."
Sales and pricing strategies of the rough producers Chaim Pluczenik, managing director of Pluczenik Diamonds, who headed the workshop on rough supply the day before the symposium, reported that speculation in rough was on the rise. The shortage of rough in the market was also having a clear impact on prices. "It is asked what are the reasons for the lack of rough," Pluczenik told the symposium. "The consensus is that in the first quarter of this year the supply of rough to the market dropped sharply. Manufacturers are asked to buy only what they need in order to prevent rough prices from rising sharply." He also said that there were many question marks surrounding the issue of tender goods. "Tenders do not allow manufacturers to have a steady supply of goods," he commented. "We can see the end of the tunnel, but we are not there yet," Pluczenik said. "We must be careful in our practices. We should thank the producers for their action in reducing the supply of rough to the market. Due to them, we managed to come out of recession much faster than other industries." He also had priase for the banks, saying they did not reduce credit and were flexible in their approach to the diamond sector. "Without them, we would not be where we are today." Chris Ryder, Marketing Director of BHP Billiton, denied that tenders were causing damage to the industry by leading to speculation. "Tenders simply reflect what is happening in the market. At BHP Billiton, we do not think that we are smarter than the market, we follow it. We do not believe we can outperform the market, and we aim for a win-win situation for us and out customers. We are pleased with the level of acceptance by our clients with the system we use. We aim to follow the market and realised that we cannot outperform it, so we try to work according to the spot price of the day, every day.” Ryder said BHP Billiton had three criteria for its diamond sales: clarity, transparency and competition. "We are clear about what we are doing, and customers appreciate that. We believe that transparency helps the whole market. We also want customers to make money due to their core competencies, not because of being able to buy cheaper diamonds," he said, adding that BHP Billiton was "bullish" in the long term. Since Russian diamond firm Alrosa, which accounts for about a quarter of annual global output, was the only producer not to cut back production this year, the symposium was keen to hear the views of company vice-president Sergei Ulin. Saying it was too early to speak of a recovery in the market, Ulin said the past year had shown how it was possible for the industry to come
together and act collectively. "Reducing output [to the market] was supported by Alrosa even though it meant substantial losses for the company," Ulin said. "Alrosa output was not reduced in the first half of this year, but we did not sell diamonds [commercially] either. Ulin had good news for the symposium, which was warmly received, when he said that the miner did not have any plans to dump rough goods on the market. “Rumours that [state minerals depository] Gokhran will flood the market with goods are simply not true,” Ulin said. “The company will approach its inventory in a responsible manner. This is not the time to rush for a quick profit.” Ulin said that by mid-2009, Alrosa's debt had risen to more than $5 billion, and the firm aimed to cut it to $3.8 billion by the end of this year by selling off non-core assets, increasing income and cutting employee numbers. Patrick Coppens, marketing manager of Rio Tinto, said the firm had been very careful with its sales policy since the start of the year, and had identified an improvement in the market since April. The rising rough prices were due to a lack of goods. He said the firm was cautiously optimistic in the short-term, but that the long-term fundamentals for the industry were strong. Rio Tinto Diamonds has restructured its marketing distribution system and removed five select diamantaires and now has 20 customers, as the company see further declines in its production capacity. Coppens did not elaborate on the names of the five diamantaires. “We have cut our long-term customer base from 25 to 20 companies due to the fact that our production has fallen and will continue to change in the near future. Coppens explained that Rio Tinto is moving to a tender system, or a “mechanism that is driven by market dynamics,” for a small part of its production, while the main part will be provided to ensure a long-term supply for its clients. Des Kilalea, RBC Capital Markets Equity Research Analyst, spoke about the issues affecting mining and why it took so long for diamonds to come on stream. He said companies did not have much incentive to explore for diamonds, and the largest miners have cut back their exploration budgets. "Mining is a long-term business, it takes a long time to get the product, and we know that it can take seven years for a mine to start producing, and that enables us to know what the diamond situation looks like for the next seven years. Anish Aggarwal, managing director of Gemdax, told the symposium that there were three factors that had an impact on rough demand: normal diamond sales through the pipeline, industry financing and market speculation. Aggarwal pointed out that speculators are legitimate participants in the pipeline who have a direct influence on the market. As a result, Aggarwal called on the diamond sector to consider and control market speculation and finance as separate activities.
The importance of the Belgian market overseas A key speech to the symposium was delivered by Thomas
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Leysen, chairman of the Belgian Federation of Enterprises. He said that unsustainable growth had come crashing down in the financial crisis last year. "A return to sustainable growth means the world must address some of the fundamental imbalances," Leysen said. "The U.S. must continue to deleverage, and rebalancing must take place meaning China has to consume more." Leysen said that global financial mechanisms, such as the G8, had to more accurately reflect the new economic balance of power in the world, and this would likely change in the coming decade. He provided the perspective of a business leader from outside the diamond sector. "During my travels abroad as part of state delegations, we see that the diamond industry provides Belgium with both glamour and importance," he said. "It is a calling card for our country and its image. Antwerp has weathered the crisis well, in part through the diversification of markets. The results will take time to come to fruition, but it is heartening to see that the process has started." But he said the diamond industry in Belgium has operated independently of the rest of the business sector. "I feel that the diamond sector has been seeking more interaction with the rest of business in Belgium, and we, in the Belgian Federation of Enterprises, are ready and prepared to help you with contact with the government, authorities and civil service. On the issue of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Leysen said the diamond industry must "stay one step ahead of public opinion" and had to continue to fight to maintain its reputation. "Formulating CSR policies is an important step, and I have been impressed with the seriousness with which the industry has addressed the issue.
The bankers' view in the new economy Dilip Mehta, CEO of the Rosy Blue Group, who headed the workshop on financial issues, reported that diamond firms appreciated the efforts of financial institutions to stick with their clients during one of the most difficult years the industry has ever known. As with the diamond producers, the slump in demand had also called for responsible action by the banks involved in the diamond trade, and they had gained the gratitude of diamantaires by keeping credit lines open. Although the banks had also pressed diamond firms to take tough action, they nonetheless showed a great deal of understanding of the requirements of the sector. Victor van der Kwast, CEO International Diamond & Jewelry Group, spoke on the theme of 'The Diamond Industry in the New Economy'. He said the choice for the diamond trade was to sink, float or swim, and called for sustainable recovery with smart and responsible behaviour. He said that without the responsible behaviour of the financial institutions and the producers, there would have been a "massacre" among diamond firms. "We are committed and remain committed to the diamond industry." He said it was still too early to say if a recovery was underway.
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The availability of credit was not easy, and banks were being forced to make tough choices over the clients they wanted to retain. "It is important that new banks come into the diamond industry. We are not a lender of last resort, and cannot give credit to everyone, so it is important that there are new players." He said there were still many uncertainties in the global financial situation. Markets are volatile, gold prices are shooting up, U.S. diamond demand is still low, 30 percent of U.S. jewellery stores have closed down, global retail sales are down 20 percent, U.S. unemployment is still high and house prices are falling. Capital is scarce and getting more expensive, banks are withdrawing from the market, and the number of new entrants is limited. In the plus column, however, bridal jewellery demand is still strong, the industry decline has proven to be less severe than first forecast, and there is renewed optimism regarding jewellery sales. He urged diamantaires to "sell diamonds with credit, not sell credit with diamonds." He said they should look for solid margins, the collection of receivables was key and stock management was vital with inventory levels kept low since "stock stinks." Meanwhile, Pierre de Bosscher, chairman of the Antwerp Diamond Bank (ADB), said access to lines of credit were being kept open, and the ADB would continue to look for a balance between risk and reward. "We will not fail to continue to promote Antwerp as a diamond centre,” he stated. “All players must strive to play their role in the pipeline efficiently. As a fully committed bank, we will contribute to the goal and avoid financial speculation, overpaying for goods and over-stretched and unethical positions." The ADB chairman called for companies to show full transparency, to make every effort to promptly collect receivables, timely submission of financial statements, and higher solvency.
The rising importance of Corporate Social Responsibility Iris van der Veken, chair of the working session on CSR, explained that the concept was about how businesses align their values and behaviour with the expectations and needs of stakeholders. She said that CSR improved access to capital, sharpened decision-making, and reduced risk and costs. However, more than that, it boosts consumer confidence in the industry's products. "An increasing proportion of consumers are willing to pay price premiums for products and services marketed by companies with proven and sustained track records of doing good,” she siad. “Consumers either have increased trust in your brand or you lose them.” She said the industry had the tools, and the organizations so there no further excuse, and it time to join hands and find
constructive solutions. Meanwhile, Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri, CIBJO president, described CSR as an industry doctrine in the new economy, and outlined the structure of the World Jewellery Confederation Education Foundation (WJCEF), which CIBJO has created in order to instil knowledge about CSR in the jewellery business. He said a growing number of consumers was less likely to buy simply for the sake of spending money. Instead, they were looking for a purchase to make them feel good about themselves. Companies who are able to promote their products as ethically manufactured would be in a strong position to attract such shoppers.
A critical need for generic diamond marketing
Chris Ryder of BHP Billiton, one of the founding members of the body, agreed, saying the IDB could be a vehicle for driving demand. Category marketing can boost consumer confidence by reducing reasons for not buying diamond jewellery, while creating reasons for people to buy jewellery, he explained. He added that the IDB has CEO candidates ready, that there is broad support in the industry, and the organisation was ready to be incorporated. Krisztina Kalman-Schueler, managing consultant at Gorham & Partners, said there was evidence that consumer spending is increasing, however, customers are still cautious about diamonds due to lack of advertising and confusion around value. Buying for love, pride and commitment remains the key driver for buying diamonds, but it urgently needs reinforcement.
With the withdrawal by De Beers from its long-time role as the sole financier of global diamond promotion, the International Diamond Board (IDB) has been established to find a joint platform for industry players to advertise and promote gems. Kaushik Mehta, the managing director of Eurostar Diamond Trading and vice president of the AWDC, who headed the workshop on generic marketing, reported to the symposium that some players see diamonds as simply a commodity and so no generic marketing was needed.
Kalman-Schueler said a new and credible model was needed which could add value and set the right incentives along the entire pipeline with the final goal of increasing and protecting consumer demand. Diamond category marketing is essential for healthy long-term demand and market share, especially post-recession. She said the role of category marketing was more than co-operative advertising: it needed to cover PR, digital marketing, market intelligence, industry reputation and other issues.
"Do we really need a generic marketing policy to sell out product or should we just see it as a commodity?" Mehta asked. "Some people said we only care about our margins while others said that generic marketing is needed. I do not believe that seeing diamonds as a commodity will help take us forward. This is short-term thinking."
Sector bodies and their category marketing are generally initiated and funded by the largest producers, and attract other players in the pipeline by proving the value of investment, Kalman-Schueler stated. "The recommended model for diamond category marketing based on our experience leverages the producers’ investments into consistent marketing
Members of the audience. We see Kaushik Mehta (Eurostar), Chaim Pluczenik, Chris Ryder (BHP), Pierre De Bosscher ( ADB), Freddy Hanard (AWDC), Sergey Oulin (Alrosa), Jacky Roth (AWDC)
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programmes through financial and operational contribution of other players in the pipeline combines common category ‘brand’ positioning and guidance to other players in the pipeline so they can use this platform to drive sales by promoting individual products."
Acting on the messages heard at the symposium Concluding the symposium, AWDC CEO Freddy J. Hanard said that after the panic and near-collapse of a year earlier, the diamond industry as found a "renewed spirit." Diamond companies have had to search for resourcefulness in order to survive over the past 12 months and had done so admirably.
"It is fair to say that we have exceeded our own expectations this year,” the AWDC CEO stated. “We have weathered the storm to continue producing, and we have heard from many speakers that the long-term outlook is good. We recognise that our industry is undergoing significant change, and we have the courage to succeed in that." "We, at the AWDC, facilitated this symposium in order to promote global dialogue. The AWDC is committed to playing a global role since Antwerp is a leading centre not just in terms of history, trading and banking, but also as an intellectual centre.” "The value of this symposium will not end when we leave this hall,” Hanard said. “As happened last year, the messages that go out to the global diamond industry from here will be heard and acted upon."
Easy On The Eyes, Critical For Business
Focus at Inhorgenta Europe 2010 zooms in on good and innovative design From February 19th to 22nd, 2010 Inhorgenta Europe will once again open its doors at the New Munich Trade Fair, and exactly for the 37th time. Despite the difficult global economic conditions visitors to the EU’s largest trade exposition for watches, jewellery, gemstones, pearls and technology can look forward to another exciting show and an extensive product selection, evidenced by positive registration numbers: close to 1,200 exhibitors from 45 countries will participate. In addition, just like last year, Messe München GmbH expects approximately 30,000 international trade show visitors. These visiting industry professionals will be able to get up close and personal to the latest innovations in six halls with a total of 64,500 square meters of exhibition space at Inhorgenta Europe. Thanks to its early date this exposition is considered a key barometer for the future development of demand for watches and jewellery for the entire year. The upcoming Inhorgenta Europe will focus on ‘Design’. There will be special exhibitions, such as by the famous Antwerp ‘Silver Museum Sterckshof’ in hall C2, where visitors will also find the new 26
areas ‘Design Porcelain’ and ‘Silver Objects’. Furthermore, the hall was redesigned: due to a new concept for the ‘Designer Avenue’, a platform for Innovation Award competitors, the centre of the hall will host not one but two market places. The goal is to further improve networking between jewellery creators, manufacturers, retailers and customers. Armin Wittman, Exhibition Director Inhorgenta Europe, underlines the significance and topicality of good design: “Today’s customer sets great store by the option of expressing one’s own personality with jewellery. Excellent design has become the pivotal point for jewellery retail. Even traditional manufacturers are increasingly starting to combine their technical expertise with innovative design”. The topic of design has been one of Inhorgenta Europe’s particular strengths for a long time, and not just in ‘Design Hall’ C2, which has become an international hallmark for this exposition. This is a platform unique throughout the world, for distinctive designer jewellery and jewellery design, where more than 300 exhibitors show their pieces on 10,000 square meters of exhibition space.
Sociaal Nieuws De crisispremie voor arbeiders Naast een verlenging van de drie bestaande crisismaatregelen (arbeidsduurvermindering, tijdskrediet en tijdelijke werkloosheid voor bedienden tot 30 juni 2010) heeft de regering een nieuwe maatregel in het leven geroepen nl. een crisispremie. Deze zou de arbeiders beschermen als zij tijdens de crisis worden ontslagen. Deze crisispremie geldt slechts voor de opzeggingen die ter kennis worden gebracht tussen 1 januari 2010 en 30 juni 2010.
Wie heeft recht op de premie? Elke arbeider uit de privésector wiens arbeidsovereenkomst zonder dringende reden wordt beëindigd door de werkgever. Een arbeider heeft geen recht op de crisispremie als zijn arbeidsovereenkomst wordt beëindigd: • tijdens de proefperiode • met het oog op pensionering • met het oog op brugpensioen • in het kader van een herstructurering en de arbeider zich kan inschrijven in een tewerkstellingscel
Bedrag van de premie De arbeiders die worden ontslagen zonder dringende reden hebben recht op een bijkomende forfaitaire vergoeding van 1.666 euro. Dit bovenop hun bestaande ontslagvergoeding. Bij deeltijdse arbeiders wordt deze premie geproratiseerd in verhouding tot de contractuele arbeidsprestaties.
Deze vergoeding wordt fiscaal niet belast en is vrijgesteld van sociale bijdragen.
Gedeeltelijke betaling door de RVA De RVA zal een deel van deze crisispremie ten laste nemen. De RVA neemt 1.111 euro ten laste en de werkgever betaalt 555 euro.
Vrijstelling voor werkgever In sommige gevallen zal de RVA de gehele premie ten laste nemen. De werkgever moet zijn deel van 555 euro niet betalen als hij gebruik maakt van één van de drie maatregelen ten aanzien van de betrokken arbeider: • de collectieve crisisarbeidsduurvermindering • het crisistijdskrediet • het stelsel van de economische werkloosheid voor arbeiders, en dit gedurende: - 4 weken voor arbeiders met een anciënniteit van minder dan 20 jaar - 8 weken voor arbeiders met een anciënniteit van meer dan 20 jaar. Daarenboven kan het dat firma’s met minder dan 10 werknemers hun deel van de premie niet moeten betalen op voorwaarde dat ze dit aanvragen en hun onderneming in economische moeilijkheden verkeert. Er moeten echter nog heel wat zaken bij KB bepaald worden. Wij houden u hieromtrent verder op de hoogte.
Negatieve loonindexeringen De daling van de indexcijfers de laatste maanden kan voor bepaalde Paritaire Comités aanleiding geven tot een negatieve indexering (daling) van de lonen. In het bijzonder voor het Aanvullend Nationaal Paritair Comité voor de Bedienden (PC218) die jaarlijks op vaste datum vanaf 1 januari een indexering van de lonen kent. Vanaf januari 2010 zullen de wedden van de bedienden van het ANPCB dalen met 0,43%.
U als werkgever mag beslissen om een daling van de lonen in uw onderneming niet toe te passen, niettegenstaande er een negatieve loonindexering wordt toegestaan in de sector, maar in dat geval mag het resultaat van die negatieve indexering niet meer in mindering gebracht worden op een latere positieve indexering van de lonen.
Wat verandert er in 2010 - Brugpensioen: Voor brugpensioen op 58 jaar wordt de loopbaanvoorwaarde bij mannen opgetrokken tot 38 jaar en bij vrouwen tot 33 jaar - GSM-gebruik: Op het privégedeelte moet een sociale bijdrage betaald worden. Als er geen scheiding uitgewerkt is tussen het werkgedeelte en het privégedeelte, wordt het privégedeelte op € 12,5 per maand geschat - IBO: Het systeem wordt uitgebreid tot werknemers met een tijdelijk contract van 1jaar
- Zelfstandigen: Er is uitstel van betaling voor sociale bijdragen van het 1ste, 2de en 3de kwartaal 2010, mits betaling uiterlijk op 31.12.2010. Op 1/8/2010 worden de minimumpensioenen verhoogd met € 25 voor alleenstaande tot € 945,62 en € 20 voor een gezinspensioen (tot € 1.233,44/maand) - Fiscaal: In het kader van fraudebestrijding gaan de federale, sociale en fiscale inspectiediensten op structurele basis gegevens uitwisselen.
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Personalia Dieter Hahn made honorary president of Idar-Oberstein bourse Dieter Hahn received honorary president status of the Diamond and Precious Stones Bourse Idar-Oberstein (DEIO) at a gala dinner celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Intergem gem and jewellery show held in Idar-Oberstein. Hahn is the treasurer of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) since 1991, and has also served as the director and president of the DEIO for 30 years. Jochen Muller, president of the DEIO, presented his predecessor with the award explaining, “Hahn has been a part of the bourse since 1973 and then went on to become the president in 1988. During this time he was involved in all areas of both the local as well as international diamond industry and contributed immensely to our unique business.” “His service was outstanding and tireless through his participation in various trade bodies, such as the WFDB, International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA), Idar-Oberstein Trade Fair, the Inhorgenta Fair, and the German Gemstone Museum and the German Gemmological Association. For his efforts we believe that the honorary president is a fitting award.”
Nieuwe Consul van de Centraal Afrikaanse Republiek
Mevrouw Chantal Florizoone, lid van de Antwerpsche Diamantkring, is sinds 1997 Consul van de Centraal Afrikaanse Republiek, en sinds 2001 commissaris van het Consulair Corps Vlaanderen. Op 4.12.09 werd Mevrouw Florizoone verkozen tot vice-deken van het Consulair Corps van Oost-Vlaanderen. SBD wenst mevrouw Chantal Florizoone-Henneuse een dikke proficiat met deze erkentelijke aanstelling. 28
SBD was vertegenwoordigd Oktober 2009 1/10 - Comité Veiligheid HRD - Organisatiecomité Presidents'Meeting IDMA/WFDB 5/10 - VBO-Belgische Europarlementsleden 6/10 - Raad van Bestuur RVD 7/10 - Organisatiecomité Presidents'Meeting IDMA/WFDB 13/10 - Fonds voor de Diamantnijverheid - Rijksverlofkas voor de Diamantnijverheid 14/10 - Organisatiecomité Presidents'Meeting IDMA/WFDB 15/10 - Bureel SBD 19/10 - Commissie Beroepskaarten, Federatie der Belgische Diamantbeurzen` 20/10 - Speciale Commissie voor de Diamantsector, CRB ` - Rijksverlofkas voor de Diamantnijverheid 21/10 - Organisatiecomité Presidents'Meeting IDMA/WFDB 22/10 - Bureel SBD 26/10 - Gebruikersgroep WOSvD 27/10 - Bureel SBD - Plenaire zitting van het Paritair Comité voor de Diamantnijverheid en -handel - Beheersorgaan Intern Compensatiefonds voor de Diamantnijverheid - Rijksverlofkas voor de Diamantnijverheid 28/10 - Organisatiecomité Presidents'Meeting IDMA/WFDB
November 2009 3/11 4/11 9/11 10/11
- Rijksverlofkas voor de Diamantnijverheid - Raad van Bestuur AWDC - KamerMomentum VOKA - Organisatiecomité Presidents'Meeting IDMA/WFDB - Rijksverlofkas voor de Diamantnijverheid 15/11-18/11 - Presidents'Meeting IDMA/WFDB - Antwerp Diamond Symposium 19/11 - Rijksverlofkas voor de Diamantnijverheid 24/11 - Vergadering CVO-SNA Opleidingsprofielen - Rijksverlofkas voor de Diamantnijverheid 26/11 - Comité Veiligheid HRD - Leerlingencommissie PC voor de Diamantnijverheid en -handel - Bureel SBD 30/11 - Commissie Beroepskaarten, Federatie der Belgische Diamantbeurzen - Bestendig Comité WTOCD
Wij vernemen het overlijden van, op 107-jarige leeftijd, mevrouw Frieda Ollech. Zij was de grootmoeder van Wolf Ollech, bestuurslid van onze vereniging. SBD biedt de familie van mevrouw Frieda Ollech de uitdrukking van haar diepe medeleven aan.