IDI to participate for the first time at June HK Show

The Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI) is preparing to participate in the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, with 60 diamond companies, at its pavilion. This is the first time that IDI will be preparing a pavilion at the June edition of the trade show, which reflects its increased interest in Hong Kong as a vital and growing diamond market and a gateway to Asia - one of the Israeli industry’s most significant markets.

The Israel Diamond Pavilion will provide background on the Israeli diamond industry and help buyers find their way through the pavilion. An online mini-site - http://www.israelidiamond.co.il/Exhibition/map.aspx?id=19 gives a virtual view of the pavilion before the show enabling buyers gain information about contact details of all Israeli exhibitors, including those not participating in the pavilion, as well as a map indicating their location at the show.

IDI Chairman Moti Ganz said that Hong Kong has always been an important market for Israeli diamonds, and has become even more so as Asian economies experience dramatic growth. “Dozens of Israeli companies have set up offices in Hong Kong and elsewhere in the Far East; many are manufacturing diamonds and diamond jewelry there as well. Asia is clearly a major center for the Israeli Diamond Industry.” IDI Managing Director Eli Avidar said “We are focusing much of our marketing efforts on Asia – especially Hong Kong. Our industry is clearly very keen on Asian markets and we are doing all we can to facilitate their activities there.” Avidar added that IDI’s representative office in Hong Kong was providing a major boost to the Israeli Diamond Industry’s trade with the region. In addition, he noted that IDI’s Chinese-language portal site has become an important vehicle for facilitating direct contacts between these countries.

Hong Kong is Israel’s second largest market for polished diamonds representing 25 percent of total polished diamond exports in 2010. In 2010 net exports of polished diamonds to Hong Kong stood at $1.487 billion. In the first quarter of 2011 Israel’s net polished exports to Hong Kong increased 28% to $506 million.