Confidence in Israel’s economy
This is a very positive article by Yoram Ettinger. Five year growth of 21% (270% over 20 years); export strength in technology products; world leader in R&D; natural gas discoveries; population increasing with unemployment falling; foreign investment; the list is impressive.
Better than we first thought
The Bank of Israel has revised its GDP growth forecast for 2012 upwards to 3.1% from its previous forecast of 2.8%. The Bank of Israel also said that it expects growth to climb to 3.5% in 2013. Recent positive indicators triggered the upgrade, including latest import and export figures.
Israel Beats All Comers in Job Creation
A combination of fast population growth, robust exports, and sound monetary policy has allowed Israel to create jobs faster than the U.S., the European Union, Poland, and even Brazil. Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer says the country is now near full employment.
Morgan Stanley recommends Israeli Technology companies
The US banking giant has just compiled a global list of possible acquisition targets for IBM. One third of them are Israeli companies.
Bio-med investors come to Israel
A delegation of top life sciences executives is in Israel to seek collaborations or investment in small-sized Israeli medical companies. Israel offers incentives to multinationals to open R&D centres and invest in start-ups.
Another Tel Aviv marathon
Dozens of investors from the US, Europe and the Far East are in Tel Aviv to review the offerings of Israeli high-tech companies, at this year’s Israel Innovation Marathon in Tel Aviv, sponsored by Bootcamp Ventures. Twenty Israeli start-ups will give eight-minute presentations to investors.
Cheaper flights to Israel
Israel has joined the European Union aviation zone. The new “open skies” agreement will result in more flights, more tourists, more destinations, more jobs, more airlines flying to Israel, more competition and (yippee!) cheaper ticket prices.
Israel has Intel inside
The computer chip giant hired 700 Israeli staff in 2011 and plans to take on a further 600 in 2012. The company stated that it had contributed over $4.1 billion to Israel’s economy since 2006. The Sandy Bridge processor was developed in Israel and is responsible for around 40% of Intel’s revenue.
Sony wants Israeli medical technology
The electronics giant Sony Corporation is actively seeking to expand its position in the medical field and will invest hundreds of millions of dollars in Israeli medical technologies. It has established a team to review the Israeli market and seek out companies for investment or acquisition.