Festive Opening to Sixth International Diamond Week

February

2017

IDE President Yoram Dvash: "The present is the only time to create our reality and that's what we are doing today."

The IDE held a festive opening ceremony for the Sixth International Diamond Week in the trading hall which had been redesigned for the buyers.

The ceremony was attended by Tourism Minister Yariv Levin , IDE President Yoram Dvash , President of ALROSA, Andrei Zharkov, Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association President Kobi Korn, IDI Chairman Shmuel Schnitzer, DDCNY President Reuven Kaufman, CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri, senior members of the Israeli and foreign diamond trade.

In addition, there were 220 representatives from Israel and 388 buyers from 30 countries, including the US, China, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Turkey, Belgium.

Yariv Levin praised the organizers of the event as well as the buyers who had arrived from abroad. "The presence of so many foreign buyers is testament to the importance of the Israeli diamond trade despite the difficulties it is facing at the moment. Israel has a long tradition as a pioneer both in diamonds and in tourism."

He said that the Israeli diamantaires were ambassadors for Israel. He also told the foreign buyers to find the time to travel around Israel and take in its sights.

Yoram Dvash said: "I am delighted to see the trading hall today and all our friends from Israel and abroad and to open the Diamond Week. We are here to do the thing we do best: buying and selling diamonds. It's in our DNA. We hope that we will go from strength to strength."

Dvash also spoke of the improving business atmosphere following the signing of the tax agreement in December with the Tax Authority, the strong marketing initiatives that the bourse is carrying out and the Internet trading platform, James Allen and Get Diamonds.

In addition, he mentioned the factory for the cutting of large diamonds that the bourse created, the recently opened Sinova laser cutting center, and the International Tender Center that will be opened on Wednesday.

"The state of the international markets doesn't depend on us, but we are here to provide you with the biggest, most professional and best platforms in marketing, rough, trade shows, tenders and technology.

He also thanked all the guests from abroad, heads of delegations, senior partners in the Israeli diamond sector, Kobi Korn and Shmuel Schnitzer, the Chairman of the IDWI Organizing Committee, Chaim Volner, and Miki Kattan. "Colleagues, we can't change the past and can't forecast the future.

"The present is the time to create reality, and that is exactly what we are doing every day and today as well with the taking place of this Diamond Week. I would like to wish us all well."

ALROSA President Andrei Zharkov said: "I thank you all for the warm reception. I am very happy to be here with you. It's a great pleasure and responsibility to be here as CEO of ALROSA which will be holding tenders of rough and polished goods this week. We are looking forward to fruitful cooperation with our friends here. We feel at home here in Israel. I wish you all a successful week on behalf of ALROSA and myself."

Shmuel Schnitzer said: "The bourse is full of action today. I really hope that this Diamond Week and others like it will lead to increased activity in the trading hall and the new International Tenders Center. This is undoubtedly a welcome initiative and I wish all strength to the bourse president, Yoram Dvash, and the management team. This year looks promising and I wish us all great success."

Kobi Korn wished the participants success as did DDCNY Reuven Kaufman who said Israel was like home for him.