The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) has announced that the 2018 World Diamond Congress will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Tel Aviv, from June 19 to 21 this year. The Congress is the biannual meeting of the WFDB and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA).

While the opening session of the Congress, which will be attended by a senior Israeli figure, will be held on June 20, the three day programme commences the earlier evening with a cocktail event, WFDB said.The Gala Dinner of the Congress will take place on the evening of June 20, and the meeting will conclude on Thursday, 21 June, the organisation annoucned.

The three day event is being organised by the Israeli diamond industry organisations – the Israel Diamond Exchange, the Israel Diamond Institute and the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association.

A separate partner's programme featuring visits to interesting spots across the country is also being offered.

Israel Diamond Exchange President Yoram Dvash said, "We are looking forward to again creating a wonderful setting for the WFDB and IDMA to hold its meetings in an exquisite setting. We hope that participants and guests will take the opportunity to visit the many beautiful areas that Israel has to offer after attending fruitful meetings at the Congress."

WFDB President Ernie Blom said he expected the Congress to live up to previous Congresses and Presidents' Meetings held in Israel. "On behalf of the WFDB, I would like to thank the Israeli diamond industry for offering to host the Congress. This is a great undertaking, and I am fully confident that it will be hugely successful as was each of the previous gatherings in Tel Aviv."