Upward Swing of Israeli Polished Exports Continues in March

Israel's net polished diamond exports increased 14 percent in March, continuing the upward trend noted since the start of the year. The center exported $614 million worth of polished, compared with $538 million exported in March 2004.

Since January, Israeli exporters sent abroad $1.928 billion worth of polished diamonds, a 12 percent increase over the comparable period last year.

Meanwhile, net polished diamond imports also increased last month, totaling $338 million, a 9 percent increase over $310 million in imports during March of last year.

62 percent of exports were sent to the U.S., 15 percent were shipped to Hong Kong, 9 percent to Belgium, 6 percent to Switzerland, and 2 percent of Israeli polished exports were destined to the U.K.