Israeli Minister Heading for Russia for Diamond Talks
February 08, 04
Israel’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Employment, Ehud Olmert, is leaving tonight (Sunday) for a five-day visit to Romania, Poland and Russia, where he will hold talks on the possibility of increasing rough diamond supplies to Israeli diamond firms.
Olmert, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, will hold meetings with the head of the Gokhran, the Russian depository for precious metals and gem stones, and the president of Russian diamond giant Alrosa about the possibility of buying Russian rough supplies directly from Russia.
Israel imports a substantial amount of the world’s rough diamond supplies from a variety of sources.
A delegation of more than 60 businessmen will accompany Olmert on his trip. In addition to members of the diamond trade, the businessmen include representatives of many of Israel’s leading high-tech firms, particularly from the telecommunications sector.