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- Written by Office of the President
President Reuven Rivlin this morning (Sunday, 7 December 2014), participated in the Globes 'Israel Business Conference' in Tel Aviv. The President spoke 'in conversation' with Globes Editor-in-Chief Guy Rolnik about the proposed upcoming elections. He said, "I hope that what happened before won't happen this time, with regard to the voter turnout. I am afraid the public will not get out to vote, because they have lost faith. I hope everyone will vote."
The President continued, "Even the political leaders need to understand that a return to the central voter blocs is important for governance and the ability to make difficult decisions. The elections always raise the same questions: security or society, but today, we have to find a solution to both, it is no longer 'either or'. The social protests brought about the unprecedented replacement of 57 members of Knesset, and that was a clear message."
In relation to the situation in Israel's society, the President said, "We find ourselves with two economies – the Start Up nation, and another Israel. The gaps are growing and widening even within the second group, and amongst the middle classes. All this demands the involvement of society; by voting and understanding that elected representatives are elected to deal with these issues too."
The President continued to address the issue of violence in Israel over the past months. "The cure for violence, is hope. As Jewish leaders, we must deal with the issue of Jewish fundamentalism, and Arab leaders need to deal with the issue of Arab fundamentalism. Where there is no hope, violence breeds."
To the question of how the President regards the suggestion he had changed his opinions since entering office, he said, "I was and remain a student of Jabotinsky, the education system within which I was educated and raised was that of the Herut and the Likud. I have said in the past, and I say again and again. Jews and Arabs were not doomed to live together, but destined to live together. As a Jew and a Zionist, I believe fully in the Jewish State, which must be democratic, and governed according to the will of the majority. That which I say today, I have been saying for years, and all who know me are aware of this."
To the question of whether the President was a 'digital president', the President responded, "I write with a fountain pen, and sometimes with a pencil. My grandchildren have shown me the marvels of the internet. I understood early on, the magnitude of the revolution that the internet has brought and the significance it holds for our lives. Personally however, I can't really send a text message without the help of my aides. That said, I understand what I am talking about, and I can happily live with it with my grandchildren by my side."
Photos Silvia G Golan
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- Written by Globes
The "Globes" Israel Business Conference 2014, Israel's largest
annual business conference, will be held on December 7-8
The "Globes" Israel Business Conference 2014, Israel's largest annual business conference, will be held on December 7-8 in Tel Aviv. It will be opened in the presence of His Honor, the President of the State of Israel, Reuven Rivlin.
The conference's opening session will be entitled, 2015 - Where is it headed? The participants will discuss what can be expected in the coming year. The topics will include the economic outlook for 2015, whether Israel's credit rating will be upgraded or downgraded, whether membership in the OECD will strengthen Israel and open it to new markets, and expected trends during the year and how they will affect the country's citizens.
The session participants will be Dr. Jason Furman, the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers at the White House and Senior Economic Advisor to President Barack Obama; David Rothkopf, the CEO and Editor, Foreign Policy Magazine, one of the most important periodicals about politics and international relations in the world, and a columnist at CNN and at The New York Times; and Zion Keinan, Bank Hapoalim CEO and President.
The Israel Business Conference is the country's premier and most prestigious economic conference, where decision-makers, businesspeople, government officials, academics, top economic officials, researchers, spokespersons, and local and foreign delegations meet and network. At the conference, leading Israeli and foreign economic officials, academics, businesspeople, and policy-makers will offer their analyses and knowledge.
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The "Seeking Energy for Growth" session will discuss oil prices and Israeli gas at the 2014 "Globes" Israel Business Conference
For the full conference schedule and to register, please click on Israel Business Conference or telephone *5988
What will the price of oil be in 2015, who will gain and who will lose from the collapse of oil prices, will the US break the OPEC cartel, can Israel close natural gas export deals, and should price controls be placed on natural gas in Israel. These and other questions will be discussed during the "Seeking energy for growth" session at the 2014 "Globes" Israel Business Conference.
The session participants will be International Energy Agency (IEA) chief economist and director of its Global Energy Economics Directorate Dr. Fatih Birol, who is rated by Forbes as one of the most influential people in the world in energy and who is responsible for World Energy Outlook, the IEA's flagship publication, a source of strategic analysis of the world's energy markets; and King's College Dean of the Policy Institute Dr. Nick Butler, an energy blogger at the Financial Times. The moderator will be "Globes" macroeconomics correspondent Amiram Barkat.
The Israel Business Conference is the country's premier and most prestigious economic conference, where decision-makers, businesspeople, government officials, academics, top economic officials, researchers, spokespersons, and local and foreign delegations meet and network. At the conference, leading Israeli and foreign economic officials, academics, businesspeople, and policy-makers will offer their analyses and knowledge.
The conference, a major influential event on the public economic agenda, will be held at the Tel Aviv David Intercontinental Hotel on December 7-8.
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Waking up from the American Dream
The Waking up from the American Dream panel will discuss changes in US policy at the 2014 Globes Israel Business Conference
Changes in US-Israeli, US-Russian relations, and, of course, US-Chinese relations are the subject of the Waking up from the American Dream panel at the 2014 Globes Israel Business Conference.
The panelists will be Westwood Capital co-founder and managing partner Daniel Alpert, a member of US the financial elite, and a Research Fellow at The Century Foundation, who jointly published with Prof. Nuriel Roubini and Prof. Robert Hockett, The Way Forward, a program for emerging from the economic crisis; Pew Research Center Research Fellow Paul Taylor, a former political correspondent for The Washington Post and author of The Next America; and Institute for Policy Planning CEO Dr. Igor Bonin, an expert in Russia-US relations. Rebecca Blumenstein, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, The Wall Street Journal will moderate the panel.
The Globes Israel Business Conference is the country's premier and most prestigious economic conference, where decision-makers, businesspeople, government officials, academics, top economic officials, researchers, spokespersons, and local and foreign delegations meet and network. At the conference, leading Israeli and foreign economic officials, academics, businesspeople, and policy-makers will offer their analyses and knowledge.
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The challenges facing Israel's defense industries after Operation Protective Edge will be discussed
The 2014 "Globes" Israel Business Conference will hold a session on economic security, which will discuss the economic consequences of Operation Protective Edge on Israel and the R&D challenges facing the country's defense industries. The session's topics will include, following the invention of Iron Dome, can defense companies invent a system to tackle the threat of tunnels; how are defense industries handling growing competition in global markets; how will defense budget constraints affect procurements from Israeli companies; how the privatization of Israel Military Industries Ltd. (IMI) is progressing; and how the lessons of Operation Protective Edge will affect the development programs of defense companies.
The sessions participants are Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. CEO Joseph Weiss, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. CEO Maj.-Gen. (res.) Yedidia Yaari, Magal Security Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq: MAGS; TASE: MAGS) CEO Eitan Livne, Elbit Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq: ESLT; TASE: ESLT) president and CEO Betzalel Machlis, Magna BSP Ltd. CEO Amos Matan, and IMI CEO Avi Felder. "Globes" defense industries correspondent Yuval Azulai will be the session moderator.
The Israel Business Conference is the country's premier and most prestigious economic conference, where decision-makers, businesspeople, government officials, academics, top economic officials, researchers, spokespersons, and local and foreign delegations meet and network. At the conference, leading Israeli and foreign economic officials, academics, businesspeople, and policy-makers will offer their analyses and knowledge.
The conference, a major influential event on the public economic agenda, will be held at the Tel Aviv David Intercontinental Hotel on December 7-8.
Israel Business Conference 2014 – Registration and details:
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- Written by Ministry of Economy
*First visit by high-ranking Vietnamese official since relations established between the 2 countries * Minister to participate in joint session of the economy committees of both governments and visit technological incubators * Minister to meet with Israeli counterpart, Minister of Economy Naftali Bennett
JERUSALEM – 23rd September 2014. The Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology, Nguyen Quan, will head a large delegation of high-ranking Vietnamese government officials slated to visit Israel at the end of the month (28.9-2.10) and will hold, for the first time since the establishment of diplomatic relations 20 years ago, a session of the joint economic committee with officials from both governments. The Minister will lead the committee discussion on the Vietnamese side while Israeli Minister of Economy, Naftali Bennett, will lead discussion on the Israeli side.
The session comes as part of a full state visit by the Vietnamese Minister, including a tour of the New Generation Technology project in Nazareth, the Bio-Jerusalem project, visits to Israeli technology companies and a gala dinner with representatives of Israeli companies active in Vietnam.
The visit marks a high point in the strengthening of economic relations between Israel and Vietnam. Bilateral trade has reached approximately USD $1 billion per annum in recent years, and consequently the Foreign Trade Administration at the Israeli Ministry of Economy and the parallel authority in Vietnam have begun discussions to advance a free trade agreement. The recently-published Global Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum ranked Vietnam 68th of 144 countries. The report states Vietnam is a developing market with a highly-educated population (over 90 million people) and high rate of participation in the workforce by women - factors that combine to define Vietnam as the "Asian Tiger" of growth (growth projected in 2014 was 5.5%). Nevertheless, on innovation, Vietnam was not marked for distinction.
Ministry of Economy Trade Attaché to Vietnam, Tzafrir Assaf: "Vietnam has become highly attractive for small and medium-sized technology companies. The Vietnamese avoid purchasing cheaply-made technology products and are willing to pay for reliable and innovative solutions made in Israel. Small and medium exporters, offering niche solutions tailored to the needs of the customer, succeed in penetrating the Vietnamese market, with the help of local distributors we locate for them. The Vietnamese economy provides Israeli companies with significant opportunities and the visit by the technology minister is aimed at leveraging these opportunities. Thus, for example, we try to connect Israeli and Vietnamese technology companies, with the help of funding by the World Bank. In addition, the Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for granting a company recognition as being 'Hi-Tech' and this holds financial significance for Israeli companies choosing to invest in Vietnam and increase their presence in the country."
Minister of Economy Naftali Bennett: "Part of the Ministry of Economy's responsibility is strengthening Israel's economic relations with developing countries and new markets around the world and Vietnam holds many opportunities for Israeli exporters. This summit of economic officials from both countries will pave the road for additional Israeli exporters and leverage our economic ties with this country, gaining a stronger footing in Asia and in the whole world."
The Foreign Trade Administration at the Ministry of Economy said that exports to Vietnam during 2013 amounted to USD $702 million compared to USD $745 million in 2012. The data marks a drop of 6%, which can be attributed to the strengthening shekel and weakening dong which occurred in tandem with the effects of the global financial crisis which hit Vietnam relatively late and hurt market demand. The leading fields of export were electronics and mineral components (mainly by Intel), chemical products, fertilizer, paints and telecommunications products. Imports from Vietnam reached USD $413.2 million in 2013 and $318 million in 2012. The data reflects a 30% rise in imports, mainly comprised of telecommunications products, animals, agriculture, food, textile products and footwear. The most significant rise was in imports of textile products and footwear.
The visit marks a high point in the strengthening of economic relations between Israel and Vietnam
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Vietnam, Israel reach high-tech deal
Written by http://www.vietnambreakingnews.com/
Vietnam and Israel signed an agreement to boost economic cooperation, particularly on science and technology.
The deal was reached during Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan's visit to Israel from September 28 – October 2 to attend the first meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee for Economic and Technological Cooperation .
Quan, addressing the signing ceremony, said both sides would not only facilitate the exchange of scientists but also expand into human resources training and research.
Vietnam hoped to develop technology in the fields of agriculture and cyber security and safety with Israel, he said, and pledged maximum support to Israeli investors.
The country looked forward to launching talks on a free trade agreement with Israel as soon as possible, Quan added.
Israeli Economic Minister Naftali Bennett, for his part, expressed his hope for the value of bilateral trade to cross the threshold of 1 billion USD this year.
Agreeing with Bennett, the Ministry of the Economy's Trade Attaché Tzafrir Assaf said Vietnam was becoming increasingly attractive for small and medium-sized Israeli high-tech companies.
Last year, Israel exported goods worth 702 million USD to Vietnam and spent 413.2 million USD on imports, mostly garments and footwear.
Its major earners are electronics, chemicals, fertilisers, paint and telecommunication products.-VNA
Israeli Economic Minister Naftali Bennett and Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan (R) at the signing ceremony (Photo: VNA)
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- Written by Export Institute
Twenty years ago, a peace agreement between Israel and Jordan was signed, which settled the relationship, boundaries and division of resources between Israel and Jordan. Following the peace agreement, the borders between the countries were opened, and factories under Israeli ownership were transferred to Jordan, where labor is cheaper.
In 1997, the QIZ Agreement was signed by Israel, Jordan and the US, in order to encourage business collaborations and thus promote the peace process. The agreement contributed to strengthening the political relationship and the trade relations between Israel and Jordan such that in 1998, Israeli exports to Jordan amounted to about USD 25 million, compared to USD 133 million in 2004, an aggregate increase exceeding 400%.
In 2005, free trade agreements were signed between Jordan and the United States. The Jordanian exporters moved from the QIZ framework to the framework of this agreement, while the Israeli exporters were required to face the Jordanian market with equal terms with local and foreign suppliers, without the advantage of the QIZ Agreement. As a result, exports from Israel to Jordan decreased by about 13% from USD 133 million in 2004 to about USD 116 million in 2005.
Based on the data of the Export Institute, the scope of trade (import and export) of Israel with Jordan in 2013 amounted to about USD 366 million, an increase of about 2% compared to the same period the previous year. That year, Jordan was ranked as Israel's 39th trade partner.
The export of goods from Israel to Jordan amounted in 2013 to about USD 99 million, a decrease of about 36% compared to the same period the previous year. The main decrease occurred in jewelry industry exports. In the first half of 2014, there was an increase of about 16% in the scope of exports, amounting to about USD 56 million. In 2013, Jordan was ranked as the 51st destination for the export of Israeli goods.
Changes in the export in prominent industries during the first half of 2014:
In the vehicle industry, aircraft and boating vessels experienced an increase of about 29%, and amounts to about USD 15 million, constituting about 27% of the export.
In the agricultural industry, a decrease of about 53% to about USD 6.5 million, constituting about 12% of the export.
In the machines and equipment industry, a decrease of about 4% to about USD 4.5 million, constituting about 8% of the export;
In the chemicals and refined petroleum industry, an increase of about 13% to about USD 4 million, constituting about 7% of the export.
Main Export Industries of Israel – Jordan ($M)
Description of Industry ($M)
H1/2013
H1/2014
Change rate 14/13
Weight in export 14
Transport tools
11.6
15.0
29%
27%
Agricultural export
13.9
6.5
-53%
12%
Machines and equipment
4.7
4.5
-4%
8%
Chemicals and refined petroleum
3.5
3.9
13%
7%
Non-imbedded source industry
0.6
3.7
526%
6%
Food, drink and tobacco products
1.9
3.3
76%
6%
Basic metal and metal products
2.4
3.0
25%
5%
Source: Export Institute
The import of goods from Israel to Jordan increased in 2013 by about 30% and amounted to about USD 267 million. Jordan constitutes the 30th overall source for the import of goods of Israel. In the first half of the year, the import amounted to about USD 200.3 million, an increase of about 53%.
Changes in the import in prominent industries during the first half of 2014:
In the plastic and rubber industry, an increase of about 243% to about USD 77 million and constituting about 38% of the import.
In the machines and mechanical devices industry, an increase of about 46% to about USD 47.5 million and constituting about 24% of the import.
In the animal and animal products industry, an increase of 430% to about USD 47 million and constituting about 24% of the import;
Main Import Industries of Israel – Jordan ($M)
Description of Industry ($M)
H1/2013
H1/2014
Change rate 14/13
Weight in import 14
Plastic and rubber
22.5
77.1
243%
38%
Machines and mechanical devices
32.5
47.5
46%
24%
Animal products
8.9
47.2
430%
24%
Chemical products
4.3
7.3
70%
4%
Textile products
2.5
4.4
77%
2%
Herbal products
0.4
3.2
782%
2%
Paper products
2.5
2.8
13%
1%
Source: Export Institute
Export from Israel to Jordan in 1988 – 2013, in USD millions
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- Written by USA Embassy
JERUSALEM – On June 18, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Jacob J. Lew and Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid attended the closing session of the U.S. - Israel Joint Economic Development Group - the annual senior-level economic policy dialogue between the two countries. In his remarks, Secretary Lew acknowledged the importance of the meeting to strengthening bilateral economic policy coordination and deepening our cooperation across a broad range of sectors. In his remarks, Secretary Lew said, "Often lost in the headlines of our important security cooperation and close political ties are other aspects of our relations with Israel that are equally important, including the extraordinary economic and commercial ties that create jobs and contribute to prosperity in both Israel and the United States." Minister Lapid said, "One of Israel's greatest assets is America's friendship. It is one of the main keys to our success, one of the main keys to our security."
This year's economic policy dialogue, which took place June 17 - 18 in Jerusalem, included the participation of 80 senior U.S. and Israeli economic policy officials who exchanged views on a wide range of topics including fiscal and monetary policy and macroeconomic outlooks, as well as innovation, research and development, trade and regional energy issues. U.S. and Israeli officials agreed to accelerate negotiation of a new agreement on trade in agricultural products, expand exchanges to build Israeli regulatory capacity in the natural gas sector, and increase coordination on regulatory standards to ensure that the highest quality products from each side have fair access to the other's market.
The two sides also agreed to begin discussions on an umbrella Science and Technology Agreement that will create new opportunities aimed at strengthening research and development collaboration. Discussions between the U.S. and Israeli officials also included ways to reduce the cost of living by making markets in both countries more open.
As a continuation of our ongoing coordination on cybersecurity issues, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology will participate in a workshop on June 19 with the Israel National Cyber Bureau on development of standards to reduce cybersecurity risks to critical infrastructure.
In addition to Secretary Lew and Minister Lapid, participation in this year's economic policy summit included Finance Ministry Director General Yael Andorn (Israel Chair), Dr. Karnit Flug, Governor of the Bank of Israel, Professor Eugene Kandel, Director of the National Economic Council and Avi Hasson, Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Economy. Professor David Gilo, Director of the Israel Anti-Trust Authority, Ohad Cohen, Head of the Foreign Trade Administration, and Yitzhak Ben-David, Deputy Director General from the Ministry of Agriculture also participated in addition to officials from the Israel Tax Authority, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Science, Technology and Space.
The U.S. delegation included Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Ambassador Charles Rivkin (US Co-Chair), Deputy Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Middle East and Africa Andrew Baukol (US Co-Chair), and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro as well as other officials from the Departments of State, Treasury, Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative, and the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv.
The U.S.-Israel Joint Economic Development Group, which has met since 1985, is the premier U.S.-Israel bilateral economic dialogue.
