The three-day Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair (ADTF) organized by the Antwerp Diamond Bourse and the Diamond Club of Antwerp came to a successful finish on January 31 generating new business contacts both for local exhibitors and buyers from the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Thierry Polakiewicz, spokesman of the ADTF Organizers Committee, shared his view of the event with Rough&Polished.
How many exhibitors took part in the Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair?
We had 64 exhibitors in the fair.
Since diamond trade fairs in Antwerp have already turned into regular annual events, do you plan to run its visiting versions, for instance, in Asian countries?
We are planning to expand our clientele to Asian countries and also to the US and Canada.
Do you plan to turn the Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair into a more open trading platform inviting companies not based in Antwerp?
We are not planning to open for non-Antwerp based companies at this moment.
What were the expectations from the Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair which took place in this economically turbulent time?
The hope is to attract more diamond buyers to Antwerp as it still is one of the major players in the diamond business. As the economic situation is very difficult we have to invest in the search of new market shares for Antwerp.
What is your vision of the rough diamond marked in 2012?
I am not dealing in rough anymore and thus not in a position to provide reliable information.
Are you satisfied with market prices for polished goods?
Prices of polished diamonds are stable since a few months and it is preferable not to have any rapid price rise at the moment because of the difficult financial situation.
What is your prognosis for the diamond market in the middle and long term?
I believe that there will always be a strong demand for polished diamonds and that the demand will increase in the emerging countries in the coming years.
Alexander Shaburkin and Alex Shishlo, Rough&Polished, from Antwerp
