Dear Member,
We are pleased to offer you the present edition of our Newsletter
AWDC Elections
The AWDC held its second election on June 17th & 18th. The BVGD is reasonably satisfied with these elections.
First, we remind our readers that the BVGD has lobbied for six years that the Trade sector should be allowed to hold at least half of the seats in the AWDC and that the people and companies should be allowed to participate through direct voting.
There have been 750 voters, an increase of 10% compared to two years ago. This election has shown once more that the actors on the market participated actively. It is thus a success.
Whatever the electoral results are, we, at the BVGD are first and foremost satisfied that the majority has expressed itself. Those that were elected deserved to be elected because they had the highest scores. It is Democracy.
We are of course very pleased that one of the candidates the BVGD supported has been elected: in Category 3, Mr. Sunil SHAH from Pinkstar.
The good score of BVGD’s president is also a reason for satisfaction.
We can claim that the BVGD has been one of the winners of these elections. Not only because of the 50% win in Cat 3 but also because through active campaigning the BVGD has increased its membership more than 20%! The issues that BVGD fights for, of which the cornerstone is greater transparency, are thus shared by a large part of the Antwerp Diamond Community.
I would like to extend here my sincere thanks to BVGD’s secretary, Mr Shashin Choksi for having been present continuously during the two days of voting.
Successful elections do not mean that they were perfect, we unfortunately regret that there are still many gray areas. To name a few, lack of transparency in the election rules, poor communication to the voters (only 590 voters of a potential 1500 in category 3 participated), outdated and inaccurate electoral lists, etc. The BVGD has already written to the Standing Committee of the AWDC to examine an 8-point list that has to be examined and corrected for the next elections.
Another issue we will tackle is the turnover threshold between Cat 2 & 3. While the idea of having different categories is accepted by the BVGD, the limit should be brought down to € 10 million in order to have broader representation and greater legitimacy.
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Intern Compensatie Fonds
At the second reunion between trade and industry and union representatives, the rate for the 2nd half of 2008 has been set at 0.05 per thousand. Practically zero then, though not completely. While the BVGD has been prevented from the negotiations table, it is indisputably thanks to our pressure that this result has been achieved.
Politically our objective has thus largely been achieved. But that doesn’t mean that companies cannot individually sue to recuperate this illegal tax.
With help from BVGD, at least twenty companies have decided to file suit against the Belgian State and the Intern Compensatie Fonds to recuperate the useless amounts that have been collected. Others are welcome. Do not hesitate to contact us for further info.
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Transparency
To those who claim that the AWDC has become more transparent, we only need to point to the issue above and ask the question: why is the AWDC not communicating anything to the sector regarding this matter? Regrettably this is only the tip of the iceberg.
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SOC
The fight against the anti competitive and inefficient SOC program of De Beers continues unabated and support is growing from all sides. We are as resolved as ever to bring the era of favouritism and inefficient distribution of diamonds to an end. The dangers to the health of the diamond market and indeed to the livelihood of every one of us on the market are extremely important to BVGD.
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Law proposal
The law proposal for limiting the scope of judicial raids in Antwerp diamond circle which we promoted, is working is way through the legislative channels. The AWDC is working on this complex issue.
André Gumuchdjian
President
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