Israeli PM to Host Presidents' Meeting Participants

(IDEX Online News) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to host a delegation of key industry leaders at the Prime Minister's official residence in Jerusalem following the Presidents' Meeting in Tel Aviv.

The Presidents' Meeting will discuss numerous issues affecting the diamond industry. These include the supply of rough diamonds, the disparity between rough and polished diamond prices, the quest for a solution to uniform diamond grading parameters, particularly in the wake of the recent GIA grading controversy and the need to educate new consumers about diamonds through effective marketing and advertising campaigns.

Confirmed attendees at the meeting include a large number of leaders and delegates of the 30 diamond bourses affiliated to the WFDB as well as of the 16 members of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA). These include, WFDB president Ernie Blom, IDMA president Maxim Shkadov, Edward Asscher, president of the World Diamond Council and ALROSA’s new president, Andrey Zharkov.

There will also be strong government representation from several African diamond-producing countries, such as Botswana, DR Congo, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

"We are pleased with and heartened by the support of so many major players and good friends in the international diamond industry and trade who will be joining us in Tel Aviv for this important meeting," said IDE president Shmuel Schnitzer. "There is a good measure of work to be done and with this strong a field of participants, I am confident that we will take significant strides toward renewed growth of our industry, throughout the entire supply pipeline."