“Every crisis brings opportunities and there are many in Hong Kong, especially for the diamond industry.”
This remark was made by Noy Elram, who took part in “Diamonds are Forever” webinar on diamonds and Hong Kong. Let’s have a look at what was it all about.
When the world was brought to a halt earlier this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, imports and exports saw a slowdown and trade fairs and shows were cancelled, thus creating an atmosphere of uncertainty within diamond traders. As time has passed and the world is adapting itself to the new normal, diamond companies should also learn the game in this playground. Therefore, HKTDC Tel Aviv jointly with Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce saw it fit and beneficial to talk about how to keep business going.
After a no small amount of planning, the dearly anticipated and sparkling was successfully carried out last week. The panel counted with the participation of distinguished speakers, who shared their experiences and expertise regarding diamond trade and developments in the field, as well as Hong Kong’s status as one of Asia’s main business hubs and one-stop-shop for all things diamonds.
In his opening remarks, Yoram Dvash, President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses and the Israel Diamond Exchange, mentioned: “In spite of being a relatively small region, for years Hong Kong has been the gateway to Asia. Even when working with other Asian countries, we have always done it through Hong Kong”.
Gad Gertel, CEO of The Israel Jewelers Association, gave practical advice regarding the jewellery market during these times, such as having a proper online presence, emphasizing the importance of being accessible to consumers in order to generate profit, and making sure that the product is directed to the right audience.
Back to Sarine Technologies’ own, Noy Elram, APAC Managing Director, presented the company’s technological solutions for the diamond industry, such as their new method of E-Grading, the possibility to digitalize jewellery pieces in a high quality 3D format as well as to trace the diamonds throughout certification processes.
In addition, Roni Wolf, HKTDC’s Tel Aviv Consultant, together with Leeann Gendelsman, Office Manager at HKTDC Tel Aviv, referred to HKTDC’s Hong Kong Jewellery Gem Fair and the Pearl & Diamond Show, in which 670 Israeli buyers and 65 exhibitors took part in 2019, and finally shared the possibilities HKTDC offers for next year’s exhibition. In case there will not be a physical exhibition, other solutions shall be presented accordingly. Also, the new version of the Online Sourcing Platform was mentioned.
The Israeli diamond industry is learning to navigate through the obstacles that the crisis has presented, and as a loyal partner, Hong Kong stands with them, in order to keep thriving and bringing both regions closer together.
We warmly thank our partners at the Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce and yearn for many other fruitful collaborations to take place.
