HRD Antwerp Signs Mou with Russian Federation
HRD Antwerp Signs Mou with Russian Federation.A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation and HRD Antwerp resulting in HRD Antwerp to open its first diamond grading lab in Russia. The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the ongoing
KP Intersessional Meeting in Antwerp. The HRD Antwerp laboratory will open in Moscow.
The Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation was represented by the Deputy Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation Aleksey Vladimirovich Moiseev. The agreement was signed in the presence of Ludo Van Campenhout, Antwerp Alderman for Diamonds.
Ari Epstein, President of the Board of Directors of HRD Antwerp highlighted Russia’s position as a leader in rough diamond production, globally. He also appreciated Russia’s leadership in aspects of transparency along the value chain. He viewed the collaborations as a step to increase ‘confidence in the diamond and jewellery market in Russia and worldwide’.
The industry-established foundation – Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) today acts as the coordinating body and official representative of the Antwerp diamond sector. It is reputed as the voice, host and intermediary for the diamond business in Belgium.
It also liaises with governments on behalf of the Antwerp diamond community. Antwerp today enjoys a lead stand in the global diamond business with 84 percent of rough diamonds and 50 percent of all polished diamonds passing through Antwerp.
