Israeli Minister assures finance support for training programme

Israel’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Benjamin Ben-Eliezer met with leaders of the Israeli Diamond Industry, agreeing to extend financial support for a professional training programme for diamond polishers. The ministry program, is slated for 2009-2010, and will train 100 unemployed polishers to reach an “Excellent” level in their profession. All trained workers would be hired by local manufacturers.

Currently, the country has a dearth of “Excellent” level diamond polishers, which the programme will help nurture in turn increasing the local diamond production by hundreds of millions of dollars. Moti Ganz Chairman of the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI) and President of the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association (IsDMA), noted “We view the training of “Excellent” diamond polishers as of great importance. This programme will expand the know-how and capabilities of the industry and will increase the export of Israeli diamonds, which are known for their high quality.” % % Minister Ben-Eliezer noted that the programme is part of a package to assist the local diamond industry overcome the harsh effects it faced with the economic slowdown. The Minister has along with Finance Ministry and the Israeli banks worked towards extending credit to the Israel diamond industry.

Israel Diamond Exchange President Avi Paz thanked Minister Ben-Eliezer saying, “This is the first step in a package of aid that is needed urgently by the Israeli Diamond Industry. Our highest priority is to receive government backed credit. We see that the governments of India and Belgium have aided their industries with billions of dollars of credit with government guarantees. It is important for Israel to maintain its leading position in the world and for that government aid is essential.”

IDI Managing Director Eli Avidar said, “We are pleased with our cooperation with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, headed by Minister Ben-Eliezer, in the area of professional training. We are certain that this cooperation will bring new blood into the industry and new opportunities for employment.”