The newly elected President of Alrosa, Andrey Zharkov will be heading the Alrosa delegation that will attend the 2015 WFDB-IDMA Presidents’ Meeting that is being held in Israel from June 14-16.

"I look forward to visit Israel for the first time in my capacity as ALROSA president," Zharkov stated. "It is a grand opportunity to take the pulse of the diamond industry and trade, to meet the global diamond industry leadership and to confer with our Israeli counterparts," he added.

Earlier, De Beers' CEO, Philippe Mellier, confirmed he will be participating in the 2015 Presidents' Meeting and will address the meeting.

“The presence of two of the world's leading diamond suppliers, ALROSA and the De Beers Group, will facilitate significant discourse between the diamond industry and trade's leadership and the miners," said Israel Diamond Exchange President Shmuel Schnitzer.

He added, "Since the topic of rough diamond supplies will be high on the agenda of both the WFDB and IDMA, we appreciate Mr. Zharkov taking time to spend with us and take part in our organization's discussions and deliberations.”

Schnitzer also said that the IDE board and Presidium of the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association (IsDMA) will meet with the ALROSA delegation for follow up talks on the MoU that was signed by ALROSA and IDE earlier this year during the International Diamond Week in Israel.

IsDMA President Jacob (Kobi) Korn said, "Industry financing -- and the perceived lack of it -- as well as the dwindling market share of diamonds and diamond jewelry in the consumer markets are of concern to all of us. The miners are very much aware of these challenges and we look forward to interacting with them on these issues."