Alrosa, Russia's largest diamond mining corporation and one of the world's leading producers of rough diamonds, announced the firm will organize and hold a rough diamond tender during the summer edition of the US & International Diamond Week in Israel, in less than a month from now.
The announcement was made following a series of intensive and productive talks betweenYuri Okoyomov, vice-president of Alrosa and Yair Sahar, president of the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE).
Yair Sahar (left) and Yuri Okoyomov.
The rough diamond tender will consist of a series of individual, large diamonds, larger than 10.8 carats. The tender's viewing will take place from August 20-29, at the offices of Archos Diamonds (Israel), Alrosa's representative office in the Ramat Gan diamond exchange complex. During 2013, Alrosa and IDE have already organized three successful tenders and the partners will organize two additional tenders, including the one in August, during the remainder of the year.
"Alrosa is very pleased to continue its cooperation with the Israel Diamond Exchange and in particular with the effective and fruitful talks we have held with IDE president Yair Sahar, who has proven an excellent partner in this project. This project has across-the-board support of the Alrosa management, and in particular of our company's president, Fyodor Andreev," Mr. Okoyomov said in a statement.
"Alrosa fully recognizes Israel's stature as a major, dynamic diamond manufacturing and trading hub that is among the leading centers in the world. Israel's diamond industry barrier-breaking technology and expertise are well known and highly appreciated by Alrosa. We are confident that next month's tender will serve toward the further broadening and strengthening of our mutual business interests and will bode well for the future."
Mr. Sahar IDE president Yair Sahar thanked Mr. Okoyomov, noting that while Alrosa's rough tender would be held during the US & International Diamond Week in August, the exchange is working hard to intensify and diversify Alrosa's business activities in the Israeli diamond center.
"Israel's diamond expertise, experience and abilities in diamond manufacturing remain unparalleled. Therefore, to sustain and develop our industry, we are consistently and continuously seeking not only to increase the supply of rough but also to diversify it the best we can. Our cooperation with Alrosa and the ensuing organization of rough diamond tenders, are part the efforts of the IDE's board and management to create tangible added value for the members of our exchange," Sahar said.
