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 Israel Diamond Institute (IDI) Managing Director Eli Avidar met today with
the newly elected President of Sierra Leone, Dr.Ernest Bai Koroma. The President
said that he was pleased to host this meeting. Avidar commended the President on
the peaceful transfer of power following the last elections in Sierra Leone,
which he said serves as a model of democracy much appreciated by the
international community.
President Koroma also said that in the past the two countries had enjoyed
warm relations and he expressed his wish that these relations would be renewed.
Concerning diamonds, the President said that he and his government were studying
the subject and seeking ways to enable the people of Sierra Leone to benefit
from this natural resource.
Eli Avidar presented to the President the activities of the Israel Diamond
Institute Group of companies, and especially the efforts of IDI in forging
relations with rough diamond producing countries. Avidar invited President
Koroma to participate in the Third International Rough Diamond Conference, which
will be held in Tel Aviv on February 11 – 12, 2008, and to be a keynote speaker
at the Conference.
President Koroma said that he recognized the importance of this event and
will make every effort to change his plans to include participation in the
Conference. He said that if he is not able to attend because of meetings abroad
he would send a high ranking delegation headed by a senior minister.
Avidar also met with Vice President Samuel Sam-Somana, with whom he discussed
IDI’s rough diamond sourcing activities and the upcoming Rough Diamond
Conference. The Vice President stressed that diamonds are of great importance
to his government and to him personally. He said that the government was engaged
in formulating policy concerning diamond mining and trade.
Tomorrow Avidar is scheduled to meet with the Sierra Leone Minister of Mines
and Mineral Resources Alhaji Abubakarr Jalloh.
IDI Group Chairman Moti Ganz said that beginning in January 2007 the
Institute had begun to implement a strategic decision to cement ties with
governments of rough diamond producing countries, as well as with other
countries of importance to the diamond industry.
“In June 2007 we met with the relevant officials in China, in November 2007
we hosted the President of Liberia and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with
the Liberian Minister of Mines. On February 11 and 12, 2008 we will host the
Third International Rough Diamond Conference in Tel Aviv, and have received
confirmation of attendance by at least six ministers from prominent rough
producing countries, and others are expected to participate as well. We intend
to continue to pursue this activity for the benefit of the Israeli Diamond
Industry, in order to provide a response to the changes taking place in the
global rough diamond market.”
Press
Releases Diamond News: Israel Diamond Institute Managing Director Met With
Sierra Leone President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma
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