Alrosa plans to hold a rough diamond tender in Israel, during the summer edition of the US & International Diamond Week, in August. This endeavour culminated after a series of talks between Yuri Okoyomov, vice-president of Alrosa and Yair Sahar, president of the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE). Featuring in the August tender will be individual, large diamonds, larger than 10.8 carats. Viewing of the tender lots is scheduled from August 20-29, at the offices of Archos Diamonds (Israel), Alrosa's representative office in the Ramat Gan diamond exchange complex. In the current year, 2013, Alrosa and IDE have held three successful tenders with two additional tenders, including one in August.

"Alrosa is very pleased to continue its cooperation with the Israel Diamond Exchange and in particular with the effective and fruitful talks we have held with IDE president Yair Sahar, who has proven an excellent partner in this project. This project has across-the-board support of the Alrosa management, and in particular of our company's president, Fyodor Andreev," Mr. Okoyomov said in a statement.

"Alrosa fully recognizes Israel's stature as a major, dynamic diamond manufacturing and trading hub that is among the leading centers in the world. We are confident that next month's tender will serve toward the further broadening and strengthening of our mutual business interests and will bode well for the future", added Mr. Okoyomov.

Mr. Sahar IDE president Yair Sahar mentioned that the exchange is working hard to intensify and diversify Alrosa's business activities in the Israeli diamond center. "Israel's diamond expertise, experience and abilities in diamond manufacturing remain unparalleled. Therefore, to sustain and develop our industry, we are consistently and continuously seeking not only to increase the supply of rough but also to diversify it the best we can. Our cooperation with Alrosa and the ensuing organization of rough diamond tenders, are part the efforts of the IDE's board and management to create tangible added value for the members of our exchange," Sahar said.