LLD, Lev Leviev’s diamond business, was Israel’s top diamond exporter in 2006, states Controller of Diamonds Shmuel Mordechai. LLD exported $553 million worth of diamonds last year, down from $601 million in 2005. Leviev’s diamond export business is only part of his diamond activities, which include partnerships in diamond mines and polishing operations in Russia and Africa.
The Controller of Diamonds’ report includes only diamond companies and merchants who permit the disclosure of their names. The diamond merchants absent from the list either do not want to disclose the extent of their business or prefer keeping a low media profile.
Polished diamond exports by the companies on the list totaled $3.03 billion in 2006, 46% of total polished diamond exports of $6.61 billion.
Sources inform ''Globes'' that major diamond companies not in the top ten, included the diamond company of the Schnitzer family, LID of the Eliashuv family, Israeli Diamond Manufacturers Association president Moti Ganz, and Uri Schwartz.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on January 24, 2007
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