According to statistical data made available recently, Belgium's export of both rough and polished diamonds registered a noticeable increase in the first half of 2007 as compared to export trend of the same period in 2006.
While export of polished diamonds shot up by 9.06 percent, that of rough diamonds grew by 18.5 percent. According to figures released by the Diamond Office at the Antwerp World Diamond Center, the value of Belgium's polished diamond exports in June reached $968.4 million, an increase of 18.5 percent over the same period last year. 818,446 carats were exported, which constitutes an 11 percent increase over last year's 737,579 for the same month.
Comparatively, rough diamond exports saw an even greater increase. Exports in June rose by 41.6 percent and came to $1.09 billion as compared to $770.6 million last year. A total of 13.5 million carats were exported, constituting a 27.2 percent increase.
The import side of the story is also big. In June, about 882,055 carats valued at $977.6 million were brought into the country, comprising 5.8 percent and 9.7 percent more than the 833,548 carats valued at $890.8 million in June 2006.
Rough diamond imports rose by 6.52 percent in June, valuing $812.4 million in comparison to $762.7 million during the same period last year.
-Ltd..jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Thermore (Far East) Ltd.")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TSllC Ltd)")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF)")
