ANTWERP, Belgium, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) today unveiled its ambitious programme for the September Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair, a marquee event in the global gem industry calendar slated for AsiaWorld Exhibition Centre, September 21-25.

Besides having 80 exhibitors, and the chance to win a diamond every hour, the Antwerp pavilion will celebrate Belgian achievements from ballet and beer to chocolates and, of course, award-winning jewellery. "The 'Antwerp' pavilion will be the largest in the history of the September show," declared AWDC CEO Freddy J. Hanard.

"Many people say diamonds are forever," Mr. Hanard mused. "At the Hong Kong September show, we'll be saying diamonds are for every hour."

Making for a spectacular start, the Royal Flanders Ballet's Althea Nunez and Alain Honorez will perform scenes from The Sleeping Beauty at an evening reception on September 21, in the Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel. The dancers will, in fact, be ushering in finalist jewellery designs from the HRD Awards 2009 competition announced in Antwerp in June.

The following day, the 30-piece collection, which includes the HRD Awards 2009 winner, will be presented at a press briefing at the AWDC lounge where Mr. Hanard will discuss Antwerp world diamond centre initiatives to counter the impact of the recession and other challenges facing the global diamond industry.

The collection will remain on show in the AWDC lounge through September 25.

On the culinary front, Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT), government organization who partners AWDC at Hong Kong's September show, will treat guests to Belgian beer and chocolates -- hearty sustenance to steady the nerves as AWDC's "Win a diamond every hour" event plays out over the five-day show.