IDMA Cancels Istanbul Meeting, May Meet in Antwerp in October

The International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) has canceled its participation in the Presidents Meeting in Istanbul this week due to poor interest from members.

A meeting of IDMA presidents is expected to take place in Antwerp in October.

The Presidents Meeting is a joint gathering of the leadership of the presidents of both the IDMA and of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), and is held every two years.

IDMA Chairman Maxim Shkadov and Secretary-General Ronnie VanderLinden told members of the decision and their disappointment in the low level of interest expressed by members.

The political protests and riots in Istanbul during the past two weeks are believed to have played a part in reducing member interest.

Registration was so low that IDMA would not even have had the required quorum needed to vote on issues or even make any decisions.