The Israeli diamond industry will once again have a significant presence at BaselWorld 2012, with 17 Israeli diamond companies participating in the show scheduled for March 8 to 15.

The Israel Diamond Institute (IDI) will operate an information and image booth in Hall 3.1, NO1. The Israeli diamond companies will exhibit in Hall 3, the loose diamond hall.

IDI will hold its annual press lunch on March 9 from noon to 1:30pm at the Basel Convention Center in the Osaka – Samarkand Congress Room.  As in previous years, Eli Avidar, IDI managing director, will unveil the new strategic marketing campaign for the coming year.

The IDI event will feature the internationally acclaimed futurist, David Passig, author of “The Future Code” and “2048.” Passig will lecture on “The Mega-Challenges of the 21st Century” from a scientific perspective.

The Israeli diamond Industry reported a very successful year in 2011 with net polished diamond exports increasing by 23.5 percent to reach $7.2 billion, exceeding polished exports in 2007. IDI sources said that the significant turnout of Israeli diamond companies at the show attests to the resurgence in the Israeli diamond industry, as well as to the importance that the industry attributes to this show. BaselWorld is the premier diamond and jewellery event for the European market and a major meeting place for diamond traders and buyers from all over the world.

An online mini-site, which can be accessed through the IDI portal site, enables buyers to access the Israeli exhibitors virtually before the show.

IDI Chairman Moti Ganz said the Israeli industry is stronger than ever, but that economic conditions still pose challenges to the industry.

"The Israeli diamond industry has succeeded because it has developed new markets, while continuing to invest actively in its traditional ones. Despite current economic uncertainty in some key markets, we are confident that the Israeli industry will make the necessary adjustments to enable continued achievements during the year," Ganz said.

Avidar said the institute’s marketing strategy in 2012 would continue to be diversified, targeting new as well as existing markets. He added that IDI would increase its trade show activities, in response to the enormous interest expressed by Israeli diamond industry members.