At a special ceremony on May 2, 84 members received certificates that they are now officially full members of the exchange.
At a special ceremony last Thursday, 84 members received certificates that they are now officially full members of the exchange.
The initiator, Chairman of the Permanent Membership Committee, Ben-Zion Shasu, said at the ceremony: “As the chairman of the Permanent Membership Committee, I came to the conclusion that it was right to recognize this important moment. We are certain that you will take with you will take upon yourselves the leadership of the sector more than one step forward and that will guarantees Israel’s place as a leading force in the business.”
Chairman of the Permanent Membership Committee, Ben-Zion Shasu. Photo: Ya'ankale
"With our experience and your modernity we will be able to advance the bourse". Photo: Ya'ankale
Arik Bauchman said: “You are today joining a big family that contributes a great deal to Israel’s economy. Go forward both in your business dealings and in public service. We are proud that in the whole, we are an association without any difference in regard to race, religion or gender. We hope that the new members will take on the challenge of being involved in public service.”
Israel Diamond Exchange President Yair Sahar praised the new members and Ben-Zion Shasu as well as the committee members. He paid tribute to the faith of the new members and that the marketplace would ensure that the most appropriate people would remain in the business. As a result of the new members, there is no other exchange in the world that is so energetic and young as the Israeli bourse. He compared the course the new members had to do to those of the Open University: “In one of my discussions with the exchange’s Security Adviser, Yossi Sedbon, who also serves as Deputy President of the Open University, I asked him how many students start the studies and how many reach the end. His answer really surprised me: there are 10,000 students at the start and just 1,000 finish the course.
“Only those who have enough self-discipline, will-power and ambition to be excellent finish the course. They study alone, in the evenings and with the help of accompanying academic staff. So whoever completes the degree should be saluted because it is far from easy. And all those who receive the bourse’s award is doing the same sort of thing. Learning alone and developing their skills in learning and leading, professionalism and ability to found a business with a turnover of millions of dollars a year, and sometimes tens of millions of dollars a year. The same excellence and desire to succeed is required. Keep going forward and may you remain strong.”
He said people should check out where today’s leading diamond firms were 20 years ago. Only those firms that know how to adjust and adapt remain. They must be flexible and to know how to change to different times and conditions. “It’s clear to me that we must develop the tools that will allow young people to still be here in another 10 years or 20 and still be growing.”
He called on the certificate winners to help the bourse for the good of all firms. He said that Alrosa was planning to open its first polished diamond center in Israel soon. He also spoke about the international Diamond Week that will take place at the bourse August 25-29 and requested from all those present to take part in it and also in a venture that he is leading for people who are expert in social networks for the promotion of businesses and for the benefit of all.”
The deputy chairman of the Permanent Membership Committee, Yehoram Harel Haimoff, said: “This event marks a milestone in your professional path. The IDE is not just a place of work but a way of life. You have a come a long way and decided that your future lies in the diamond trade and we welcome you with great appreciation. Many of you are members of the second generation in your businesses and it is incumbent upon you to continue the dynasty correctly. You, as the next generation will carry the diamond sector forward on your shoulders in the coming years and will set the character of the diamond trade here in Israel. I have always been keen to hear new and different opinions, especially from the younger generation who have access to the newest technology. With our experience and your modernity we will be able to advance the bourse."
