The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) has reelected Isidore Mörsel as president of its board, following a brief first term at the helm.
The AWDC first appointed Mörsel, the CEO of Dali Diamond Company, in October, to succeed David Gotlib, who resigned in September. The organization held its board elections two weeks ago, it said Friday. He will serve a two-year term.
“The global diamond industry finds itself amidst an important transformation and there are big challenges ahead, including for Antwerp,” said Mörsel. “Some important hurdles have already been taken, such as most recently the agreement to regularize ‘grandfathered goods’ and the extension of the ‘sunrise period’…, after which the full-traceability scheme for imports of rough and polished natural diamonds would become mandatory. I believe that this thoughtful decision demonstrates a profound understanding of the day-to-day operations of our business, ensuring that non-sanctioned goods can flow seamlessly.”
Meanwhile, Ravi Bhansali, managing director of diamond trading and manufacturing company Rosy Blue, has been selected as vice president, taking over from Sahag Arslanian. Bhansali, who will join the board for the first time, represents the younger generation of diamantaires taking leadership positions in Antwerp in recent years, the AWDC noted.
“In the past weeks and months, Mörsel has demonstrated an incredibly strong commitment to the Antwerp diamond industry and the challenges we face today,” said Karen Rentmeesters, CEO ad-interim of the AWDC. “The combined expertise and drive of the president, vice president and the entire AWDC board is crucial to steer the future of Antwerp’s diamond industry towards growth.”
Image: Isidore Mörsel. (Antwerp World Diamond Centre)
