Olmert: Israel Economy, Export Strong, War On Terrorism Continues
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Joel Leyden Tel Aviv ---November 10.....Over 1,000 business people from North America, Europe and Asia attended the Israel Prime Minister's Conference for Export and International Cooperation. The two day business conference in Tel Aviv, which focused on Israel export, industry and trade, was deemed an overwhelming success by the sheer number of people who attended the conference. "What impressed me most about this Israel export and trade conference was the seamless crossover between government and business communities – where government policy meets business strategy," said Mark Ross Executive Director of the British Israel Chamber of Commerce. "In the last week I have been privileged to meet Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres and Ambassador Dan Gillerman with the representatives of the Israel Britain Business Council and British-Israel Chamber of Commerce. Both Peres and Gillerman, who keynoted at the conference, talked about the importance of export, foreign partners and overseas investment. They showed an intrinsic link between international trade and cooperation as facilitators to solve Israel’s problems – poverty, water, peace and energy. Peres informed the conference that developing renewable energy would reduce Israel’s reliance on foreign oil and gas, forcing the oil-producing states to the diplomatic table as their oil is devalued by nuclear, solar and water energy production. He said business would drive the peace process where the politics could not longer influence – peace through privatization." Ross added: "Yesterday, Amnon Dotan and other representatives of the Israel Federation of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce brought home to the audience the importance of trade in developing Israel’s economy. Someone famous once said that ‘Free Trade Stops Wars’ and you can see this proven in Israel today. The Jordan trade agreements, the building of open trade zones, agri-business and industrial estates gives Israel’s neighbors something tangible to bring in revenue that they will not want to lose. The finances raised from trade can be used to fund education, infrastructure and through development, we move towards peace." "The Prime Minister’s conference once again proved to be a very successful forum where the economic cooperation works as a catalyst for strengthening political relations between countries," said Einars Mikelsons, First Secretary, of the Embassy of Latvia. "Although Latvia is not among major Israel's economic partners, there are definite opportunities for expanding bilateral economic relations in several sectors. This year especially has been very productive for further development of business ties and for improvement of business climate: February 2006 - in the framework of the State visit to Israel of the President of Latvia Dr. Vaira Vike-Freiberga a large business Forum was held in cooperation with Israeli Export Institute and participation of 70 businessmen from Latvia and 100 – from Israeli side, in June 2006 - Latvian airline AirBaltic (member of SAS group) commenced direct flights from Riga to Tel Aviv. Air Baltic operates flights two times per week, the flight time with Boeing 737-500 aircraft takes 4 hours; and in July 2006 - convention between the Republic of Latvia and the State of Israel for the Avoidance of Double Taxation was ratified. Thus creating more business friendly environment." Mikelsons added: "Latvian and Israel scientists and researchers have stable historical contacts. This year representative of the Latvian Academy of Sciences Prof. Ruvin Ferber attended the Prime Minister’s conference and had several meetings with representatives from academic, governmental and business sectors. Particularly a meeting with Yair Amitay, managing Director of the MATIMOP (Israeli Industry Center for R&D) was very promising – taking into account Israel’s achievements and Latvia’s potential, prospective intensified cooperation and a possible conclusion of bilateral intergovernmental agreement in the field of R&D were discussed. It was agreed that the Embassy of Latvia represented at the meeting by the Deputy Head of Mission, Einars Mikelsons will ensure follow up to this meeting. Latvian and Israeli businesses have several prospective sectors of cooperation, particularly: electronic industry and IT sector in particular, along with development of joint projects between Latvian and Israeli IT specialists and the number of Israel tourists in Latvia is steadily growing, especially after the launch of direct flights to Latvia." But most of the attention at the Israel Prime Minister's Export and Trade conference in Tel Aviv centered on the Prime Minister himself. Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert spoke about Israel's continued war on terrorism and the daily missile attacks on Israel from Gaza. "Hamas is using the Palestine people as human shields, attacking Israel from residential areas," said Olmert. "Attacking Israel, a democratic nation which left Gaza unilaterally in a peace move last year. So what are these terrorists seeking, they seek all of Israel - Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem. Israel will do all that it can to avoid harming Palestine civilians, but we will not stop defending ourselves against these daily Qassam missile attacks. The true enemy of the Palestinians is not Israel. We offer peace, commerce and trade. We are ready to compromise. But we will not compromise on the security of our civilians, we will not compromise on the release of Israel missing soldiers, we will not commit suicide." In addressing Syria, Olmert said: "Syria President Bashar Assad can not have his cake and eat it to. He has to accept democracy, regional change and place an end to Hezbollah, Iran and Islamic terrorism operating out of Damascus." Olmert spoke about an optimistic vision for the state of the Israel economy, forecasting that income per capita in the country would almost double. "In 10 years, Israel will come close to its dream, which is that Israel will turn into one of the economies in which income per capita is around $30,000, which is the high end of the Europe economies," Olmert said at the annual Prime Minister's Conference for Export and International Cooperation organized by the Israel Export Institute and the Israel Manufacturers' Association in Tel Aviv. Israel per capita income was about $18,000 in 2005. Also speaking at the conference, Shraga Brosh, president of the Manufacturers' Association, praised Israel position at number 15 worldwide in the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Index for 2006-2007, which established it as one of the world's most competitive economies, but said he was not satisfied. "Our goal is to move up 10 notches to number five on the index of the world's most competitive economies." Olmert noted that one of the great achievements of the country's economy was the positive balance of payments. "Just a few days ago, I discussed the state of the Israel economy with the Governor of the Bank of Israel Stanley Fischer, who said that if he had been asked five years ago when the balance of payments in Israel would turn positive he would have answered not in my life time; and then it happened this year," Olmert said in an interview with Sky News at the conference. "I praise Stef Wertheimer and all he has done for Israel," said Olmert. In May 2006, billionaire investor Warren Buffett announced that his corporation, Berkshire Hathaway, agreed to purchase a majority stake in Wertheimer's ISCAR corporation for $4 billion. Wertheimer promotes the idea of economic development and regional stability by establishing industrial parks which encourage new businesses on the borders of Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon and Palestine. He built Tefen Industrial Park in the north of Israel as a working model of this idea. "I am proud to report to all of you today that the balance of payment will be positive this year," said Olmert. "Israel, in the first time of her history will have a positive surplus of 6 billion dollars. Export is the name of the game. We need to push for exports," Olmert said. In addition, a genuine effort to reduce and close the income gap in Israel was needed, while dealing with social issues and the poverty trap, he said. On the issue of higher education, Olmert said this was an area in which the government must invest more and develop further. "I am in favor of changing student fees, introducing better or long-term student loans like in the US and scholarships and grants to promote the future life sciences and hi-tech professionals." Perhaps a defining moment for Israel Prime Minister Olmert was after he had finished his warm and confident interview with Sky News. An interview in which Olmert was asked about his declining popularity in the Israel polls. But shortly after the questions and answers came to an end, Olmert received an unexpected surprise. "You are a good person," said a six-year-old child who walked up to Olmert. Olmert immediately became teary eyed and all smiles. One of the most interesting speakers was Her Excellency Zhang Xioaon , Charge D’Affaires at the China Embassy who gave an overview of the opportunities for business in the largest and fastest developing country," said Ross. "She spoke about how China - the largest country was learning from one of the smallest. It’s certainly no surprise that Israel commerce is at the forefront of the charge into Chinese opportunities, with over 800 Israel companies represented in China." "I was also impressed by Professor Stanley Fischer, Governor of the Bank of Israel who gave a fascinating account of the state of the Israeli economy and how the strength of the export track record affects the strength of the shekel," said Ross. "Yossi Vardi, Eli Opper and Zohar Zisapel spoke beautifully of the innovative developments working as Israel’s growth engine and if you needed any reason to invest in Israel industry, then five minutes with these Israel experts would be more than enough!"
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