Two officials of diamond trade body vouch for one of the 6 elected becoming president.
Gujarati diamond traders, who now control bulk of the billions of dollars worth of diamond trade in Antwerp, are getting the stamp of approval from various quarters for heading the prestigious Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC).
On Tuesday, two top officials of AWDC said the Gujarati community has made immense contribution to the development of diamond trade in Antwerp, and deserve the top post.
“Gujarati traders have done very well in Antwerp, and contributed a great deal to the growth of diamond trade here. One of the six elected Gujarati diamond traders should become the next president of AWDC,” Jacky Roth, outgoing president of the influential body, told DNA over the phone from Antwerp.
Roth, considered very close to the vast Gujarati community settled in Antwerp, has been the president of AWDC for two consecutive terms of two years each. He has been associated with the diamond industry for the past 40 years, and has seen the industry change from close quarters.
“Earlier, diamond trade was mostly controlled by Jews, but now it is Gujarati traders who control bulk of the trade,” he said. Freddy J Hanard, CEO, AWDC, said, “Gujarati traders have played an important role in bringing the diamond trade in Antwerp to this level. In fact, we see them not as Gujaratis, but as Antwerp diamantaires. There is a strong possibility of one of the elected Gujarati traders heading AWDC.”
Gujarati diamond traders in Antwerp swept the elections to AWDC board, winning all the six seats that went to polls, while six more members are nominated to the board by industry stakeholders. Two of the six elected traders — Amit Bhansali, COO of Rosy Blue NV and Nishit Parikh of Diarough — are vying for the post of AWDC president, which has led to differences among the elected members.
Meanwhile, even as the Gujarat diamond industry awaits election of one of the Gujarati traders to the top post of AWDC, officials said that the new president will be elected only after election related complaints are dealt with.
“We have received two complaints about the elections, and are looking into them. A decision on the complaints is possible by tomorrow, after which the board meeting will be held,” Hanard said. He, however, refused to disclose the nature of the complaints or the identity of the complainants. “The board members will meet after the complaints have been dealt with, and elect the next president,” Roth informed.
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