IDE President Yoram Dvash spoke about the recent toughening of credit conditions by the Bank HaBenleumi, saying: "There is no possible reason that organizations working with the diamond sector should carry out such a step relating to submission of collateral."
Israel exported $2.79 billion of diamonds last year with an average price per carat of $299.50. Russia remained in first place as the top producer with 42 million carats.
The next International Diamond Week in Israel will be held from February 13 to 16.