London(ZimEye)A Belgian community organisation, the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) has praised the recent Marange agreement reached by the Kimberley Process (KP) to release Zimbabwe’s Marange diamonds for international sale.
AWDC congratulates the KP with the important Marange agreement on the enabling of the immediate export of rough diamonds from two KP-compliant operations in the Marange region, as well as exports from other mining operations in the area following the KP monitoring team’s verification of compliance, a press statement read.
The AWDC as the official representative of the Antwerp diamond sector, is recognized internationally as the host, spokesperson and intermediary for the Belgian diamond community.
”The agreement is a very important milestone in the history of KP. After two years this agreement on the Marange region was reached through patience, perseverance, hope and trust from all the KP members. The extreme important contributions of the KP chair, Mathieu Yamba and of the European Union to reach this agreement were very significant. I would like to extend my gratitude to all KP participants and WDC to facilitate this important decision,” said Ari Epstein, the chief executive of AWDC.

”The agreement doesn’t only mean stability,” said Epstein, ”it also proves once again that the Kimberley Process is the only framework that really works. It protects both the integrity of the rough diamond chain and the benefit of the producing countries. AWDC always protected the KP very thoroughly through its diamond office, and will continue to do so in the future.”
Eighty percent of all rough diamonds worldwide pass through Antwerp.
The diamond office, part of AWDC, is the single entry and exit point for all imports and exports of diamond shipments. The Federal Public Service Economy (Licence Service) and customs supervise diamond shipments. A physical inspection is carried out on incoming and outgoing shipments for all categories of diamonds. In addition, diamond office plays a crucial role in the campaigns to combat smuggling, money laundering and the trade in conflict diamonds.
Diamond office is perceived to be an ethical center, upholding the highest standards globally for the Kimberley Process for diamonds through its diamond office.