Alrosa CEO Nichiporuk Expected to Visit Israeli Bourse

Alrosa CEO Alexander Nichiporuk, an associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, will visit the Israeli Diamond Exchange next week when Putin makes an historic first visit to the country, according to Israeli financial daily Globes.

Israeli sources expect Nichiporuk to announce collaboration with Israel's diamond industry and the possibility of Alrosa's first sales of rough diamonds to Israel, according to Globes.

Nichiporuk, who is close to Putin, is expected to be part of the Russian president's entourage.

Israel Diamond Institute (IDI) chairman Simcha Lustig confirmed that Nichiporuk would visit the exchange, but could not say if Putin would take part in the visit to the diamond exchange.

The visit follows 18 months of talks between representatives of the Israel Diamond Exchange, Alrosa, the Russian government, and Russian Ministry of Natural Resources.