IDEX Online: Besser new chief of Israel bourse

Ramat Gan--The Israel Diamond Exchange appointed Moti Besser as its Managing Director. He is replacing Yair Cohen, who announced his departure in early September.

Besser, a retired Brigadier General, most recently served as managing director of Israel's State Comptroller’s Office. Besser is no stranger to the diamond industry, serving as managing director of the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association (IsDMA) from 2002 to 2007.

He was asked by new IDE President Yair Sahar to take on the position at IDE and to play an active role in the president’s initiatives to renew and advance the exchange. Upon leaving his position at the State Comptroller Office, Besser was appointed to its Advisory Council.

“Moti Besser brings significant added value to this position, due to his extensive experience in managing large and complex organizations in the IDF, the public and the private sectors in Israel and abroad," said Sahar.

Besser served in the past as financial adviser to the IDF Chief of Staff and the Head of Budgets in the Ministry of Defense. Since leaving IsDMA, he served in several executive positions including vice president of Amdocs UK and managing director of State of Israel Bonds UK.

Moti Besser said, “The Israel Diamond Exchange, the largest and most sophisticated bourse in the world, with 3,000 members, represents a huge economic force in the Israeli economy and a leading light among the world’s diamond bourses. I see my participation in leading the exchange as a huge challenge, especially in light of the tough competition posed by the world’s other diamond centers.”

During his nine years as CEO of the IDE, Yair Cohen told IDEX Online that it was his pleasure "to be among those leading the Israeli diamond industry during a significant, exciting and, at times, turbulent period globally and locally."