A woman examines a diamond during the International Diamond Week held at the Israel Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan, Israel, on Feb. 11, 2015. (Xinhua/JINI)
One of the main reasons for the recovery of Israel's diamond industry was the trade with the United Arab Emirates.
JERUSALEM, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Israel's rough diamond exports more than doubled in 2021, said a report issued by the state's Ministry of Economy and Industry on Tuesday.
According to the ministry, exports of rough diamonds from Israel amounted to 1.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, about 109 percent higher compared to 859 million dollars in 2020.
Israeli exports of polished diamonds amounted to 3.66 billion dollars in 2021, an increase of 54.3 percent compared to 2020.
A loose diamond is shown at the International Diamond Week held at the Israel Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan, Israel, on Feb. 10, 2020. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)
Imports of rough diamonds to Israel jumped by 94.5 percent last year, amounting to 2.07 billion dollars, while imports of polished diamonds amounted to 2.94 billion dollars, a rise of 91.5 percent.
The ministry noted that one of the main reasons for the recovery of the Israeli diamond industry was the trade with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with which Israel signed a historic normalization agreement in September 2020.
Israel's rough diamond exports to the UAE in 2021 totaled 188 million dollars, or 10.4 percent of total rough diamonds exports, while rough diamond imports from the UAE totaled 244 million dollars or 11.8 percent of total rough diamonds imports.
People take part in the International Diamond Week held at the Israel Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan, Israel, on Feb. 10, 2020. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)■
