Witnessed by high ranking officials and VIP guests from both China and Belgium, the Industrial Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) on Monday signed a Cooperation Framework Agreement, starting their cooperation in the field of diamond financing.

According to the agreement, ICBC will provide Antwerp diamond companies with financial services such as trade and product financing, global cash management, bank card acceptance, Chinese yuan-based international settlement, capital transaction and investment banking.

The AWDC, for its part, will help ICBC obtain the necessary location, professional technology, equipment, and information to entering the field of diamond financing. ICBC’s global clients will be provided with high-quality and competitively priced diamond products.

After the signing ceremony, Belgian Crown Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde personally inaugurated the Antwerp Diamond Roadshow, launching a 10-day journey showcasing Antwerp diamonds in China.

During the 10 days, 15 Antwerp diamond enterprises are scheduled to visit Beijing, Taiyuan, Jinan, Hangzhou and Guangzhou. They will exhibit some $200 million worth of high-quality polished diamonds and give China’s most important jewelers and investors the opportunity to establish direct contact with Antwerp member companies. ICBC, as the sole financial service provider for AWDC and its participating member diamond companies during the roadshow, will provide various flexible services for this event.