Israel Diamond Controller Udi Sheintal has been named Senior Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, the second highest ministry position. He will continue in his position as Diamond Controller and Director of the Diamonds, Precious Stones and Jewelry Administration in the Ministry.

Sheintal began his career in the ministry in 1982 as Deputy Director of the North American Department and served in a number of senior positions, including Adviser to the Director-General and Deputy Director-General for Administration, which included responsibility for human resources, training and computer services. In addition Sheintal served as Israel’s Commercial Attache in Canada from 1985 – 1989, where he was responsible for offices in Toronto and Montreal, and in Atlanta from 1993 – 1997, where he inaugurated an office which dealt heavily with marketing Israel’s high-tech industries in the southeastern United States.

In 1998 Sheintal was appointed Diamond Controller and Director of the Diamonds, Precious Stones and Jewelry Administration in the Ministry. During his term he has worked to further the interests of the diamond industry in all areas requiring governmental involvement, such as the opening up of new rough sources, insurance for overseas buyers and the establishment of a Free Trade Area in the diamond complex.

Sheintal, as Israel’s official representative to the Kimberley Process, has participated in all of its deliberations, and has played a key role in formulating the international standards adopted by the process. He has also been responsible for implementing the Kimberley Process directives in Israel, and is credited with the rapid and efficient way that Israel has complied with the standards. Israel was the first country to issue a Kimberley Certificate on January 1, 2003, which attested to the fact that the rough diamonds contained in the shipment are “conflict free.”

Sheintal is a graduate of Tel Aviv University, where he received a BA in political science and labor studies.

JCK