EU To Israel: Lets Be Business Partners

After waiting over a year for a response, it looks like the European Union will be finally upgrading its ties to the Israeli state, a feat some thought the Jewish state would never see (at least with Europe's perceived political climate).

(Haaretz.com) The European Union, turning aside Palestinian objections, has announced upgraded relations with Israel in the form of a range of steps involving commerce, the economy, and academic ties as well as improvements in the diplomatic dialogue between the sides. [...]

In the economic sphere, Israel will join European agencies and working groups with the aim of bringing the Israeli economy closer to European standards, and to help Israeli companies more easily contend with the European commercial market, particularly in the fields of high-tech and aviation.

Europe is also talking about having European universities recognize degree's by Israeli's across the Mediterranean, which would help out aspiring doctors, lawyers and IT professionals gain the extra expertise (as well as potentially networking with their new European friends).

Note: Looking back "in hindsight," one probably should have realized this was inevitable, especially with Europe courting Israel before (with France and Germany leading the way).

Trade: Israeli Arabian Exports Could Reach $1 Billion

Despite the fact that many of its neighbors have less than thrilling thoughts about the Jewish state (although there were a few praises not too long ago), it looks like trade between Israel and a few Arabian countries may potentially reach a billion dollars.

(Globes Online) Direct exports to Arab countries continue to grow. Exports to Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco were 45% higher in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the corresponding quarter of 2007, the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute reports. It estimates the potential of exports to Arab and Muslim countries which with Israel has no current trade relations at $1 billion.

According to Globes, Jordan and Egypt are Israel's biggest middle eastern markets, with the Jewish state trading $102 million and $40 million, respectively, in the first quarter of this year alone!

It looks like middle eastern citizens are once again "voting" with their wallets, showing appreciation (or at least satisfaction) of Israeli products, regardless of what their political leaders might be saying.

Israel And Europe Reach Agriculture Trade Agreement

(Image Credit: Jerusalem Baskets)

It looks as if Israel will have an easier time exporting fruits and vegetables towards Europe thanks to a new trade agreement between the Jewish state and the European Union.

(Globes Online) The European Commission and Israel reached a common understanding today on mutual trade concessions in the fields of agricultural products, processed agricultural products and fisheries. [...]

The Delegation of the European Commission to the State of Israel's announcement said, "Once adopted, the agreement will create new trade opportunities for EU exporters in a range of products that could not previously reach the Israeli market. On the other hand, Israel's major exporting sectors will benefit from further liberalization and better market access. The result is a balanced deal ." [sic]

This should help expand Israel's agricultural market which has been gaining international attention as many countries seem to be seeking Israel's advice on raising crop--especially in hostile climates.

Trade Between Israel And Nigeria Reaches $1 Billion

(Image: Map of Nigeria, Credit: Oxford Cartographers via Commmonwealth Secretariat)

Despite being predominantly Muslim, the nation of Nigeria seems to be very comfortable trading with their Jewish counterpart--which may be a sign of the times that the middle east is becoming Israeli friendly.

(Israel National News) Israel and Nigeria now do business annually to the tune of some $1 billion, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said ahead of a meeting between Olmert and Nigerian Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan, who is in Israel to raise interest among Israeli investors for projects in his country. [...]

Besides being one of the world's largest producers of crude oil, Nigeria offers opportunities in power generation, mining, agriculture and manufacturing, he said.

Israel is already helping Nigeria turn their deserts into gardens and this latest figure should help strengthen relations between the countries, at least economically.

Note: Hopefully the two nations will move beyond the status trading partners, as Nigeria could offer the Israeli Space Agency a nice plot of land to launch rockets from.

Japan To Israel: Lets Be Business Buddies

(Image: Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso with Prime Minister Olmert. Credit: AP via Ynet News)

It looks as if Israel's previous attempts at courting the land of the rising sun are beginning to pay off.

(Ynet News) In an attempt to encourage ecnomic cooperation between private companies, Matsuda said, "We have cancelled some of our visa restrictions on Israelis to Japan, in order to allow Israel businesspeople to come to Japan. Furthermore, we are attempting Israeli PR in Japan. Most Japanese know about the conflict between Israel and its neighbors, and few are aware that as a Jewish country there is a very high level of scientific and technological development here.

"We are trying to increase the extent of tourism between the two countries, and for that purpose we are trying to promote a route of direct flights between Japan and Israel, in contrast to the situation today.

Israel has been seeking to partner with Japan (business wise) and at least one Jewish company already has a strong market within the Asian empire.

Japan seems to be very interested in Israel's defense technology (among other things) but ironically it was Israel's attitude towards the West Bank that drew Japan's attention.

Water Technology Exports May Reach $1 Billlion

(Image Credit: Tulpehocken Mountain Spring Water)


Israel's water technology sector may reach over a billion dollars in exports by the end of this year!

(Globes Online) A Ministry of Industry Trade and Labor survey of Israel's water technologies industry predicts that exports will grow 28% to $1.1 billion in 2007. The sector had $850 million in exports in 2006, up 21% on 2005. The ministry attributes the sector’s rapid growth to higher sales by existing companies and exports of newly launched products by start-ups.

270 companies and institutes are active in the water technologies sector, including 60 start-ups. The industry has an estimated 8,000 employees.

Despite the fact that the nation of Israel is located in (what some may call) a desert, through innovation Israel has been able to turn this wasteland into an oasis.

Israel is already recognized worldwide for its contributions towards this industry, with countries like China interested in acquiring the "know how" when it comes to dealing with H₂O.

Currently the water industry market is hovering over $400 billion (according to Globes), and it will be interesting to see Israel's influence in the arena grow as the demand for expertise expands in the near future.

Israel Seeking Free Trade Agreement With India

It looks like the economic ties between the two nations is just about to grow a little stronger!

(MoneyControl.com) Israel is keen on forging a free trade agreement with India on the back of robust economic relations between the two countries that began in 1992. [...]

Mr Kumar said that the Israeli Minister sought to involve Israeli companies in infrastructure development in India for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in 2010.

Israel's technology side should compliment India's population very well as they seem to have a lot of people (at least in my encounters online) eager to impact the world wide web (or rather Web 2.0).

This should also help some Israeli's looking for work abroad hook up with an emerging super power--at least economically.

Note: With India and China pursuing financial ties to Israel, the world does not look so lonely for this kosher state.

BIRD Foundation To Improve US-Israel Cooperation

There seems to be a unique foundation whose sole purpose is to help improve the economic ties between the land of opportunity and the holy land. Both the Israeli government as well as their American friends may be thinking about doubling the financial support for this group, which can only benefit both economies.

(Globes Online) "Doubling the BIRD Foundation's capital will enable the foundation to double its activity, in other words, to increase the number of ventures that we will be able to support, increase investment in each venture, or decide how to combine the two options," [Dr. Eitan Yudilevich] said.

The BIRD Foundation supports joint ventures by US and Israeli high-tech companies by finding strategic partners in the two countries and financing the development of joint products. Over the past 30 years, the foundation has funded 740 projects, which have generated $8 billion in direct and indirect sales.

What makes this foundation unique from an "investors club" is the fact that businesses receiving funds are not required to pay back the money in the event of failure.

This encourages businesses with innovative ideas to flourish, resulting in cooperation between the two nations. Of course, if these companies are successful, the royalties they earn go back to the BIRD Foundation who then can take the funds for further investment, or to help out other industries.

Note: Readers can visit the foundation over here.

China To Set Up Confucius Institute In Tel Aviv

With over 40,000 Israeli's visiting China every year, the Chinese government has decided to establish a Confucius Institute in Israel's most modernized city.

(Xinhua-China View) The institute, which is expected to open in November, will be the first of its kind in the Jewish nation.

Jointly established by Office of Chinese Language Council International of China and TAU, the Confucius Institute is a non-profit educational organization, and will provide non-degree Chinese language study programs to Israelis. Teachers are from the TAU.

Addressing the signing ceremony, TAU President Itamar Rabinovich said "the Israeli public are eagerly hoping that they could have the chance to know more about the captivating Chinese culture."

Israel is one of the few western nations that has very friendly ties with the Asian superpower, something many people in America may find surprising.

With trade between the two nations expected to increase dramatically within the next several years, it may not be surprising to see many Israeli business students picking up Chinese as a second (or third) language.

Kosher Corporations In Vietnam?

(Image Credit: Clinton Foundation)


I knew that Israel has corporate influence in the east, but I never suspected that their influence extended well into Vietnam.

(Israel National News) With Agriculture Minister Shalom Simchon on his way to Vietnam for an official visit, it has been reported that no fewer than 200 Israeli companies are doing business in Vietnam - including 40 that began this year. So says Export Institute Director Yechiel Asiyah. [...]

Israel's exports to Vietnam have grown by 3% since last year, and now total $36.6 million. Israel's chief exports to Vietnam are mineral and mining products ($9.8 million), telecommunications ($9.7 million, a growth of 35%), and chemicals ($6.6 million).

Although Vietnam is not known for having an exactly "pleasant history" (or even a "pleasant present"), it is good to see them reaching out towards other nations in order to improve themselves--technologically wise at least.

Azerbaijan Strengthens Ties With Israel

(Image: Map of Azerbaijan, Credit: Adoption.com)


For those of you who do not know, Azerbaijan is located right above Iran and just below Russia (note: they must "love" their neighbors).

Anyways it seems that this nation (which by the way is composed mostly of Shia Muslims) is seeking to do something that most nations of similar faith are shying away from--courting Israel.

(Jerusalem Post) The strategic significance for Israel of this relationship is perhaps hard to exaggerate. Besides being a majority Muslim state - over two-thirds of Azeris are Shi'ites - Azerbaijan is located in the "energy corridor" leading from Central Asia and the Caspian to the West. It is the starting point of the newly opened Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the world second-longest, which brings Caspian oil to the Turkish Mediterranean city of Ceyhan, and it is an air corridor for the West into Afghanistan and - in theory, at least - Iran. [...]

Most crucially, however, Israel's geographic position offers Azerbaijan the key to reaching Eastern oil markets. Israel's Ashkelon-Eilat pipeline may give Azerbaijan the southern oil port it needs to compete with Iranian exports. With discussions well underway on an underwater pipeline linking Ceyhan and Ashkelon, a resulting 2,500-kilometer-long Baku-Eilat pipeline would bring Azeri oil to the immense and growing South Asian and Chinese markets.

I am not too sure how they will convince the Iranians to go along, but such a pipeline (if constructed) would encourage the nations in the region to cooperate to a degree and thus help at least establish some dialogue between Israel and her regional neighbors.

No word yet as to when construction will commence, but hopefully this idea will catch the China's eye as it would help bring another party to the table, especially one from the east.

Singapore Excited To Trade With Israel

Singapore it seems is really looking forward to establishing greater economic ties with the Israeli state.

(Channel News Asia) IE Singapore's first trade mission to Israel has been fruitful with potential for several deals to be struck.

The business delegation comprising some 12 Singapore companies held some 40 meetings with Israeli counterparts on day one of the four-day event.

Israel is home to many high technology companies, and there is hope that some of their innovations could be transferred to Singapore to test-bed new products.

Like Japan, Israel is quickly establishing itself as the tech envy of the world. With major companies such as Microsoft, AOL, Intel and Google courting the Jewish state, it comes to no surprise that other nations are taking notice (and lining up to gain influence inside Israel).

Note: Is it me, or is Israel's influence increasing in the east faster than it is in the west?

Israeli Pretzel Invades Down Under

It looks like the Aussie's are now acquiring a taste for Israeli pretzels.

(Israel Today) The pretzel company, Beigel & Beigel signed an agreement to export 3 million shekels ($711,913) worth of pretzels to Australia. Beigel & Beigel hopes to establish a market down under with its uniquely packaged pretzels, salty snacks and crackers.

Beigel & Beigel signed a three-year contract with Australia's Big W chain, which has more than 200 branches throughout the country. Big W is a subsidiary of Woolworths Limited, Australia's leading food, liquor and grocery retailer.

First Japan, now Australia. I wonder what country will be invaded next?

Israel To Europe: Upgrade My EU Status!

Despite the fact that Israel is not physically located in Europe (as any fifth grader who knows geography can tell you), Israel is seeking to increase its status within the European Union in order to boost its business.

(Ynet News) Israel is trying to upgrade its standing in the European Union to be equal to that of Switzerland and Norway.

Although the two countries are not members of the EU, they have free passage for people, capital and merchandise between them and the rest of the EU countries.

The Israel-EU Association Council – a council of European foreign ministers who monitor European-Israeli relations – is scheduled to convene in Brussels in March, with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

Although some may see this as bad (as you can tell in the comment section of Ynet), upgrading Israel's status will actually benefit the nation, as it will allow more interaction between Europeans and Israeli's.

Not only would this be good for business on both sides, but Israel and Europe may discover that they have more in common with each other than their current political differences.

Will Japan Invest In Israel?

I guess after the kosher cookie swept the land of the rising sun away, Israel is looking to increase its presence within Japan.

(Globes Online) Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Labor foreign trade administration director of Asia Pacific division Amiram Halevy-Laher said that the investment houses and corporations attending the forum has invested $500 million in Israel in recent years, and that the event had drawn substantial interest from Japanese companies.

Addressing the forum, Fischer urged the Japanese executives to invest in Israel. According to Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor bilateral trade agreements division director Boaz Hirsch, the event represented yet a further indication of the warming of economic relations with Japan. This has been seen primarily in a new openness towards Israel, and an interest on the part of the Japanese, to form economic ties.

Israel has already begun partnering with China, and it looks like it wants to deepen its economy with the eastern economic powers that be (at least for now). Unlike Israel, Japan is recognized globally as a technology leader, and Israeli exposure could help both nations maintain a competitive edge within their respective regions.

Israeli Cookies Invade Japan

(Hat Tip: Isreality)

It's called the Jerusalemite pretzel, and it seems to have attracted the taste buds in a region where pastries are not very popular.

(Ynet News) The Abadi Bakery was founded in Syria and reopened at the Mahane Yehuda open market in Jerusalem 70 years ago. The bakery's bagel-shaped cookies had already conquered Israel, and may also become a big hit in Japan.

How did the Japanese come to discover the Israeli cookies? Officials at the Israeli embassy in Tokyo said that a local food company first came across the cookies at an international food festival.

They must have enjoyed the taste of those cookies, enough to purchase over four million cookies for NIS 1.5 million (which is about USD $350,000).

Despite having spent time in Israel, I never had the chance to actually partake of this delicacy. I guess it's one more thing to add to the list when I go later on this year.

Israel Celebrates Indian Ties

It has been 15 years now since Israel and India declared each other to be friends. Which is a good thing for me because I happen to have friends in both countries.

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency) The world's most populous democracy has since become a major trading partner for Israel, and also provide a key diplomatic inroads to Asia, which has large Muslim countries.

"The challenge is to strengthen and deepen our relationship and to tap the almost unlimited scope of our bilateral cooperation," the Foreign Ministry said.

With Israel having very few allies in the east, knowing that at least it has the backing of 1/6^th of the world's population is a comforting thought indeed.

Israeli Company Helps Out Floridians With Hurricanes

A company called Klil Industries has been helping out "the sun shine state," with a product that may help Floridians secure their homes in times of stormy weather.

(Globes Online) Klil Industries (TASE: KLIL) will be the first Israeli company to sell anti-hurricane paneling to states in the US. The company recently clinched its first sale worth an estimated NIS 2-3 million to the State of Florida, and it claims that the product, which was developed specially for the US market, could have potential sales of $5 million a year. Klil now plans to test its product in Florida's neighboring states, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Tennessee, which are also affected by hurricanes.

Florida in the states is known for three things: NASA, hurricanes and beautiful beaches. Although the first and the last two are what make Florida attractive, the hurricanes can be rather unfriendly (as my relatives can testify to).

Hopefully this upcoming season we will see less hurricanes, but if we are unfortunate enough to face a few storms, I may have to forward some of these panels to my cousins down south.

Israeli Citrus Farmers Profit From Crazy Global Weather

With the recent storm activities happening around the world, many countries are finding their breakfast tables less fruity than usual (assuming they eat breakfast that is).

If it were not for our kosher friends with kosher thumbs, the world may have had to decide whether or not orange juice (or even grapefruits) was worth the price at the grocery store.

(Israel National News) Japan, a major importer of citrus, has renewed its imports from Israel, ordering 800 tons of oranges a week. Earlier this month, China signed a contract to buy $50 million worth of oranges, grapefruits and pomelos a year from Israel.

Following the California crop failures, Spain and Morocco, both major exporters to the European Union decided to sell to the US instead, for a higher profit. European nations were therefore forced to increase their imports from countries like Israel. Traditionally, 68 percent of Israeli citrus exports are channeled to Western Europe, mostly the UK, with 19 percent sent to Russia and 9 percent Italy.

News like this makes me thirsty all of a sudden. Unfortunately I just discovered that I am out of orange juice. :-(

Boycott Against Israel Increases Israeli Imports?

(Hat Tip: Solomonia)

Huh? I thought boycotts kinda hurt people's economies, especially an anti-Israeli one.

(The Norway Post) One year after the Socialist Left Party (SV)launched its boycott of goods from Israel, the import of Israeli goods has increased by 15 per cent.

In 2006, Norwegian firms imported Israeli goods worth NOK 650 million.

This is an increase by NOK 80 million, or 15 per cent from the year before, the strongest increase in many years.

This is shown by figures from Statistics Norway (SSB).

I guess their are some Norwegians out there who don't mind supporting their local Jew. ;-)