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RAPAPORT... The Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) and the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association (IsDMA) will host the biennial presidents' meeting of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) in Israel, at the Tel Aviv Hilton Hotel, from June 14 to 16, 2015. The leaders of the 30 diamond bourses that are affiliated with the WFDB and IDMA's 16 member organizations plan to discuss pressing issues that affect the global diamond industry. The presidents' meeting takes place every two years, with a full World Diamond Congress being held in the intervening years. Originally, the scope of the presidents' meetings was more limited in size and attendance, but the need to meet and discuss crucial issues has grown as has the number of participants taking part. This year, attendees will also include selected representatives of major rough producers; companies and entities that provide crucial services to the industry, such as banks and other financing institutions; insurers; logistics, security and technology providers; governmental and non-governmental organizations and other industry interest groups. IDE's president, Shmuel Schnitzer, who is also an honorary WFDB president, said the meeting comes at a time when the diamond industry is facing a variety of challenges, such as rough diamond supplies, pressures on polished diamond prices, the need for additional financial partners and mounting competition from other luxury goods. "We look forward to hosting our colleagues from the WFDB affiliated bourses and the IDMA membership and trust we will discuss ways to take our industry toward significant growth," he said.
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