Alrosa to Offer Tenders in Israel

Alrosa is slowly shaking off its old marketing ways and increasing its independent rough exports. The Russian diamond miner is expanding its supply to the Israeli market and will offer tenders in the Israeli Diamond Exchange.

Alrosa, which already ships some of its goods to Israel, is selling the full Catoca mine production to Israeli rough diamond trader Dan Gertler via a joint venture in Sunland in Angola. It is also selling to Israelis in Moscow at its periodical +10.8 carat tenders. Until recently, practically all of its exported Russian mined goods were sold to De Beers under strict control of the government.

Alrosa President Alexander Nichiporuk said the company would begin to supply rough diamonds directly to Israel, according to a release by the Israel Diamond Manufacturers' Association (IsDMA), but a date was not offered.

Nichiporuk was in Israel as IsDMA's guest at its 60th anniversary celebration in Tel Aviv last Wednesday and held a working meeting with IsDMA and other representatives of the Israeli diamond industry the following day.

According to Alrosa, in the first stage it will hold tenders through its representative office in the Israeli Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan. At a later stage, the company will create a list of clients who will purchase rough diamonds directly from Alrosa. Company sources reportedly said that it is in keeping with Alrosa's strategic decision to sell 60 percent of its rough production directly to regular customers.