During the welcome ceremony, IDE awards token of appreciation to outgoing World Diamond Council President Eli Izhakoff and CIBJO Chairman Gaetano Cavalieri.
The leadership of the Israeli diamond exchange staged an award ceremony at the exchange yesterday (May 8) for participants in the CIBJO Congress in Tel Aviv. During the ceremony, IDE President Yair Sahar made awards of appreciation to outgoing World Diamond Council President Eli Izhakoff and to CIBJO Chairman Gaetano Cavalieri.
Photo: Fuchs
IDE General Manager Moti Besser put the achievements of Izhakoff and Cavalieri in the spotlight.
Yair Sahar said: "On behalf of the 3,500 members of the IDE, I thank all the CIBJO participants who came here today. I am sure you will love Israel and wish you a pleasant stay." He wished Izhakoff and Cavalieri success in their future endeavors and said they had were now part of the family and loved by all.
Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association President Bumi Traub said: "In the last few days following the two big meetings that have been held here, you have been awarded tokens of appreciation. But the biggest award for us is that you are friends of Israel and of the diamond industry."
Meanwhile, DDC NY President Reuven Kaufman who has partnered with the Israel Diamond Exchange for the US/International Diamond Week, said: "We have with us two very important figures in the global diamond and jewelry industries. I see Eli Izhakoff's work in all the countries that he visits and I am amazed at his ability to implement his vision and capabilities." And he told Gaetano Cavalieri: "The joining of CIBJO to the UN that was undertaken under your leadership turned it into a leading international body."
Israel's Diamond Controller, Shmuel Mordechai, said: "Welcome home. Visit Israel and come to know our people. I hope you will continue to do good business during your visit."
Eli Izhakoff said: "Thank you for this warm welcome. Israel is my home when I am at home. When I look back at my relations with the Israeli diamond industry over the years, I see that every one of them is a good friend. I had excellent relations with each of them. I believe these good relations contributed to the global diamond business because we are all one big happy family. The respect you are paying me here today is for all of us in the diamond trade. A leader's power comes from the people behind him. I am very proud of the cooperation between Yair Sahar and Reuven Kaufman, and I love you all."
CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri said: "You are all good friends of mine. Everything I achieved at CIBJO was due to you all. Thanks to you CIBJO is widely appreciated. The strength of organizations and leaders is to be found in the people who elected them. You can call us dreamers. We have a vision and that is your future."
Israel Precious Stones and Diamonds Exchange President Shlomo Eshed said: I hope you are enjoying your visit to Israel and wish you a pleasant flight back home."
IDE General Manager Moti Besser told the guests about the development of the diamond sector over the past few generations and presented statistics relating to polished exports and rough imports. The event finished with a tour of the Trading Hall.
