The Israeli Diamond Industry has recorded high double-digit growth in exports and imports of polished and rough diamonds in 2010, as reported by the Israel Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor’s Diamond Controller Shmuel Mordechai. The country’s net polished diamond exports shot up by 48.1percent to $5.8 billion (in 2009 it valued $3.9 billion). Net rough diamond exports jumped 62.1percent to $3.06 billion (in 2009: $1.9 billion). %% The net imports of polished diamonds increased 68 percent to $4.2 billion (in 2009: $2.5 billion), while net rough diamond imports scaled by 50.6 percent to $3.8 billion (in 2009:$2.5 billion). %% According to Moti Ganz, Chairman of the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI), the Israeli industry is well on its way to full recovery from the economic crisis. “The Israeli Diamond Industry is proving its strength and flexibility. We are developing new markets – China and India – while continuing to promote our traditional ones. We can look forward to continued growth in 2011.” %% The United States has remained Israel’s largest export market making up 41 percent of its total exports; Hong Kong for 25 percent, India 5 percent, Switzerland 4 percent, China 3 percent and the rest of the world 22 percent. Net polished exports to the U.S. were $2.403 billion, to Hong Kong $1.487 billion, to India $264 million, to Switzerland $248 million and to China $177 million. %% Eli Avidar, IDI Managing Director, said that he was gratified that Israeli activity in Asian markets was growing steadily. “In 2011 we will expand our activities in Asian markets, starting with new trade shows, such as IIJS Mumbai in January. We’ll be announcing new initiatives in these markets during the year,” he said.