There has been a huge jump in the number of Israeli companies exhibiting in this year’s September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair to be held September 19 to 23, 2011, greatly exceeding the record-breaking participation of 2010. This year’s Israel Diamond Pavilion, organized by the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI), will actually host two pavilions and will feature 105 companies, compared with 71 in 2010. In addition, about 20 additional Israeli companies will exhibit in various locations throughout the show.

The Israel diamond pavilions will be located in Hall 7 and Hall 9, as well as Hall 10 at the Asia World Expo, which will house all of the loose stones including, but not limited to diamond and gemstone exhibitors. IDI will have an image booth at the heart of each pavilion to provide information on the Israeli diamond industry and help guide buyers through the pavilion.

According to IDI, the unprecedented participation of Israeli companies in the September fair is due to the enormous importance the industry places on Asia, with Hong Kong at its center. Hong Kong is Israel’s second largest market for polished diamonds, representing 27 percent of total polished diamond exports in the first half of 2011.

IDI's chairman, Moti Ganz, said that he was not surprised by the record breaking Israeli participation in the Hong Kong September Fair. ''Asia, with Hong Kong as its gateway, represents a tremendous and largely untapped market for Israeli diamonds. There is huge interest in Asia for luxury goods, including gold and diamond jewelry. I’m happy that the Israeli diamond industry is able to play an important role in supplying this demand.”

IDI's managing director, Eli Avidar, said that the institute was spearheading efforts to enhance Israeli diamond industry trade relations with the region. “Our multilevel support includes marketing initiatives, trade shows and outreach to new and developing markets in Asia. Our representative office in Hong Kong assists Israeli diamond companies to bridge cultural and language gaps and advises them on business opportunities. In addition, our portal sites in English and Chinese promote direct ties between Israeli and Asian companies.”

Avidar said that he was very optimistic about prospects for Israeli diamonds in Asian markets. ''There is tremendous potential for growth in countries throughout Asia. We are working hard to explore this region but we have only begun to scratch the surface,'' he said.

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