U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Visits Antwerp World Diamond Centre

The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) has welcomed Howard W.Gutman, the ambassador of the United States of America to Belgium, who visited its headquarters today.

Gutman was received by the board of directors of the AWDC in the presence of Ludo Van Campenhout, Alderman of the city of Antwerp with responsibility for the diamond sector. After visiting the AWDC Diamond Office, at which Belgium’s diamond exports and imports are monitored and examined, he toured the HRD Antwerp – Diamond Lab, one of the world’s leading laboratories that issues grading reports for polished diamonds.

“Mr. Gutman planned his visit to Antwerp World Diamond Centre quite early on during his term in office, underscoring the importance of the diamond sector in bilateral commercial relations between Belgium and the United States,” explained Freddy J. Hanard, CEO of the AWDC. “The United States is the sixth largest export destination for the Flanders Region, with a per annum value of € 7.34 billion. Diamonds and precious stones represent 13.8 percent of those exports, making the diamond industry Belgium’s third largest export sector to the United States.”

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