IDE President Yoram Dvash: "We have a wonderful board that accurately reflects the current period. We have two challenging years ahead of us and we are going to work hard on behalf of the diamond sector."
The first meeting of the new Israel Diamond Exchange President, Yoram Dvash, and management took place on Monday in the Conference Room attended by Honorary President, Shmuel Schnitzer, outgoing Board members and members of the board of Israel Diamond Exchange Enterprises.
Shmuel Schnitzer opened the meeting and praised the way the annual general meeting and elections were conducted. "I'm proud of the annual general meeting that was held. There was a good atmosphere, cultured and dignified just as it should be. Election day passed very well and in a respectable way and this deserves praise."
Schnitzer referred to the negotiations with the tax authorities and called for further dialogue. "I think we have a very good achievement. We have an agreement, but it has not yet been confirmed. I am sorry that it is subject to legislation. These were two peaceful years of working conditions which brought back balanced relations, and I hope the dialogue will continue. We must continue the dialogue and to negotiate with a strong hand. It is possible to reach agreements, but it takes a lot of effort," he added.
He summed up his comments with best wishes for the new President and the newly elected directors. "I hope the meetings will be as good as the ones we held and even better. Our work was very productive, fruitful and businesslike, with an atmosphere of stability. In conclusion, there is a lot of work to do and I am sure that the team led by Yoram, who is the right man in the right place, will do it in the best possible way. There is a great board, a mix of veterans and youngsters, that come with brightness in their eyes, and technological tools that we did not have. That's a winning combination. I really enjoyed working with everyone, with a good and industrious staff. Thank you all and I wish you all success, especially to my friend Yoram."
Yoram Dvash spoke about the work of the outgoing administration in which he served as a member. "I think overall the elections for the president and directors were conducted in a respectable way. It was a good atmosphere, a great democratic event and I think that many institutions can learn from the Israel Diamond Exchange on how to conduct elections. Thanks to the Electoral Commission for its work. Thanks to the outgoing management as well which had a lot of difficulties to deal with and crises globally and in Israel. This is a group of good people, long may they continue and thank you to everyone."
Dvash welcomed the new board members and urged them all to join together to deal with the tasks ahead of them. "We have a great team that reflects the spirit of the times. Many young people, and a lot of older members who we are blessed to have. It is very important to have that balance between the two generations. We can expect two challenging years; we're going to work hard and make the exchange younger, more technological, a little more hungry and to do as much as possible for exchange members and the community of diamond dealers."
At the end of his remarks, Dvash thanked the outgoing President, Shmuel Schnitzer. "I want to thank Shmuel. I learned a lot from him and enjoyed seeing how he moved processes forward with great charm and pleasantness. I would remind you that we are one public and one management. It's important for me that there be teamwork. I'm with you and you are with me; that's a formula for success."
Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association President Kobi Korn greeted the participants. "I speak here as the previous Acting President of the IDE. The public has spoken. You, the new management, have come into this position at a far from easy time. You must each be brave and say what you think, but once the decision is made everyone must be committed to it. I pray for your success."
In addition Jacob Kattan, Hezi Bloom and Yitzhak Berman were also praised for their work.
