Alrosa to Shut US Office

RAPAPORT… Alrosa plans to close its New York operations as tensions between the US and Russia escalate. 



Rebecca Foerster, president of Alrosa USA, has left the company, the miner said Monday.



The developments follow White House sanctions on Alrosa and other Russian entities amid the country’s continued war in Ukraine. The US has also banned the import of Russian diamonds, adding to the complexity of doing business.

“Alrosa USA office [is] to be closed in the nearest future,” a spokesperson for the Russian rough producer said.

Foerster resigned earlier this month ahead of the announcement of the sanctions, she told Rapaport News.

Foerster joined Alrosa in 2019 to develop the miner’s polished-diamond business in the US. She was previously executive vice president of strategic planning and marketing for Leo Schachter Diamonds.



Shortly after the first US sanctions on Russia, Foerster also resigned as president and board member at Diamonds Do Good (DDG).

Correction, March 22, 2022: A previous version of this article quoted an Alrosa spokesperson as saying Foerster had retired, which was incorrect. The story has also been updated with additional information.


Image: Rebecca Foerster. (Alrosa)