Levelling the Playing Field in the Diamond Trade: A Call for Action in Belgium

Those familiar with the legal intricacies of the international diamond trade know that not all diamond dealers operate on an equal legal footing. In particular, professionals active in Belgium—especially in Antwerp—face a regulatory landscape that is far more burdensome than what competitors in other jurisdictions must navigate.

 While Belgian dealers uphold some of the most rigorous AML and compliance standards globally, traders in regions such as the UAE, India, or parts of Africa often benefit from more permissive regimes, lower compliance thresholds, and faster administrative processing. These differences are not theoretical—they shape real-world business decisions and affect the global flow of diamonds.

 Some legal practitioners with cross-border experience in diamond-related matters have raised concerns over this growing disparity. They point out that Antwerp’s legacy as a transparent, rules-based hub—once its greatest asset—now paradoxically slows it down. Meanwhile, other jurisdictions are aggressively courting the trade with flexible legal tools, tax advantages, and state-backed arbitration models.

 This isn’t about relaxing standards or compromising oversight. It’s about ensuring that Belgian traders can compete on equal terms. Legal reform is needed to:

 

• Simplify regulatory burdens without lowering integrity;

• Reassess the tax treatment of diamond businesses;

• Enable more agile compliance models tailored to the sector;

• Modernise dispute resolution and customs procedures.

Belgium cannot afford to let inertia erode Antwerp’s role in the global supply chain. The legal environment must evolve—deliberately, but decisively. The insights are there for those listening; the question now is whether the political will follows.