Global Turnout Expected For Israeli Rough Diamond Seminar
May 25, 04
Overseas ministers, representatives of global diamond companies and related organizations and major diamantaires are due to take part in a rough diamond conference in July organized by the Israel Diamond Institute (IDI).
Sierra Leone Minister of Natural Resources Alhaji Swarray Deen and Canada's Northwest Territories Minister of Resources Brendan Bell will attend the Rough Diamond Seminar on July 12-13.
Israel’s Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is also Minister of Industry, Commerce and Communications which covers the diamond sector, will deliver speeches at the seminar.
Israeli diamond magnates Lev Leviev and Benny Steinmetz, will also address attendees.
The conference, targeted at Israeli diamond manufacturers, exporters and wholesalers, aims to seek ways to ensure a steady supply of rough diamonds to the Israeli industry. Obtaining sufficient rough supplies is one of the major challenges facing the country’s diamond sector.
South African Diamond Board Chairman and former Chair of the Kimberley Process Abbey Chikane, as well as executives from Endiama, Alrosa, the DTC, BHP Billiton, Majescor, Afri-Can Marine Minerals, Vaaldiam Resources, Trans Hex Group, Stornoway Diamonds, Pele Mountain Resources, Brazilian Diamonds, MIBA, Cannacord and ABN AMRO Bank will attend the seminar.
Conference organizers believe around 400 participants will take part and hope Israeli diamantaires will sign major business deals with diamond producers.