The recently concluded 38th World Diamond Congress -- the biennial gathering of the WFDB and IDMA -- that was held in Mumbai, India, from October 23 to 25, 2018, seems to have seen some especially significant discussions and questions being addressed within the  IDMA ranks.

While  officials  of all bodies present  at the Congress were very apprised of, vocal about the challenges facing the entire diamond industry, those before the International Diamond Manufacturers Association seemed to be particularly piquant. 

IDMA President Ronnie VanderLinden said that during the two days of intensive deliberations the changing landscape of diamond manufacturing was at the heart of the discussions of the body’s members.

"We need to recognise that we have lost a significant number of factories, especially in the smaller diamond centres, and that, apart from in India, in most Asian and African countries, diamond manufacturing is dwindling," he noted.

He added:  "In Armenia, Namibia, South Africa, Russia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, diamond manufacturing is on the wane and many factories have consolidated or closed. Even in China, not too long ago a diamond manufacturing nation that at the height of production employed more than 40,000 cutters, the number of cutters is now down to less than 5,000. This is, of course, having a profound impact on our membership and this year, several of our members have indicated they do not have the wherewithal to continue their IDMA membership.”

In a press note put out by IDMA a couple of days ago,  VanderLinden noted  that with the changes in the diamond manufacturing sector's landscape, as well as due to the many other challenges the diamond industry is facing, “the time may have come for the diamond trade to unite under a single header and speak with a single voice on behalf of its members”.

"We started speaking with our colleagues in the WFDB many years ago, but at this congress, we have made significant progress toward this goal," he elaborated. "Clearly, the health of the entire industry depends on the health of the middle market, which plays an important and indispensable role in the entire supply chain! We also recognize that IDMA and WFDB share more things in common than we have differences. As such, the industry's current, difficult environment requires a more united and coordinated effort and approach, especially when we consider pressing issues like the search for new, alternative financing partners and the many reputational issues we are facing."

At the conclusion of the two-day marathon deliberations, the press note said, IDMA representatives met with the WFDB president and members of the WFDB Executive Committee, presenting a proposal. “This one-page document was received favourably and therefore will serve as a platform for further discussions,” the IDMA note stated.

VanderLinden also welcomed the newly elected IDMA Vice President Prince Mbetse,   President of the South African Diamond Manufacturing Association (SDMA); and Secretary-General Matthew Schamroth, board member of the Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association of America (DMIA).

Mbetse replaces Phillippe Roolant of the Thai Diamond Manufacturing Association, who resigned as IDMA VP for personal reasons. Schamroth replaces Kim Lanny, former President of the Botswana Diamond Manufacturing Association (BDMA), who exited the diamond industry earlier this year, IDMA said. VanderLinden thanked both colleagues for their many years of service to the industry and said that they will be missed.