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Ravi Bhansali has been elected vice president.
Isidore Mörsel, pictured right, will stay on as president of the AWDC board of directors, while Ravi Bhansali joins the board as vice president.
Antwerp, Belgium—The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) has re-elected Isidore Mörsel as president of the board of directors and elected Ravi Bhansali as vice president.
Mörsel, the CEO of Dali Diamond Company, stepped into the role in September 2023 after former AWDC president David Gotlib resigned.
“I feel very honored to be re-elected as president of AWDC’s board of directors,” said Mörsel.
“The global diamond industry finds itself amidst an important transformation and there are big challenges ahead, including for Antwerp.”
Bhansali, who steers operations at Rosy Blue, a diamond trading and manufacturing company, will join the board as vice president for the next two years.
His election symbolizes how a younger generation of diamantaires has been taking over leadership positions in Antwerp’s diamond companies over the recent years, said AWDC.
“I am looking forward to a continued cooperation with Mr. Mörsel in his role as the president with Mr. Bhansali as incoming vice president of our board of directors,” said Karen Rentmeesters, AWDC’s interim CEO.
“In the past weeks and months, Mr. Mörsel has demonstrated an incredibly strong commitment to the Antwerp Diamond Industry and the challenges we face today. The combined expertise and drive of the president, vice president, and entire AWDC board is crucial to steer the future of Antwerp’s diamond industry towards growth, together with AWDC’s management team.”
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Mörsel, the CEO of Dali Diamond Company, stepped into the role in September 2023 after former AWDC president David Gotlib resigned.
“I feel very honored to be re-elected as president of AWDC’s board of directors,” said Mörsel.
“The global diamond industry finds itself amidst an important transformation and there are big challenges ahead, including for Antwerp.”
Bhansali, who steers operations at Rosy Blue, a diamond trading and manufacturing company, will join the board as vice president for the next two years.
His election symbolizes how a younger generation of diamantaires has been taking over leadership positions in Antwerp’s diamond companies over the recent years, said AWDC.
“I am looking forward to a continued cooperation with Mr. Mörsel in his role as the president with Mr. Bhansali as incoming vice president of our board of directors,” said Karen Rentmeesters, AWDC’s interim CEO.
“In the past weeks and months, Mr. Mörsel has demonstrated an incredibly strong commitment to the Antwerp Diamond Industry and the challenges we face today. The combined expertise and drive of the president, vice president, and entire AWDC board is crucial to steer the future of Antwerp’s diamond industry towards growth, together with AWDC’s management team.”
The AWDC has been vocal about its role in the G7 nations’ ban on importing diamonds mined in Russia.
In May, the organization released a statement pushing back against the EU’s plan to establish Antwerp as the sole “rough node” through which all rough diamonds must pass to certify they are not of Russian origin.
It’s advocating instead for the establishment of multiple rough diamond verification nodes, including in producing countries.
Bhansali said this plays a pivotal role in ensuring the diamond supply chain meets the highest standards of ethical and sustainable trade.
“We believe this approach is both feasible and fair, promoting unity and shared responsibility among all stakeholders. This concept will enable and empower the timely and effective integration of major African producing and polishing countries into this new global reality,” said Bhansali.
In the meantime, the AWDC sees the model node in Antwerp as an opportunity to set an example.
Mörsel added, “I believe that we, as an important industry organization, are poised to play a significant role in guiding and directing the industry, having been honored by the G7 to act as a model node for rough diamond verification.
“This recognition will allow Antwerp to lead by example, supporting the successful implementation of this initiative and fostering stronger global cooperation within the international diamond community.”
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