An economic matchmaker

The Maryland/Israel Development Centre connects Maryland companies with Israeli partners to promote trade. It also invests in Israeli start-ups through a new venture capital fund.

Thumbs up from Morgan Stanley

The giant US financial company stated that the Israeli economy "remains one of the most robust and well managed among both the developed and the emerging market economies."

Israel GDP at 3

%. Israel’s economy grew during the 2nd Quarter of 2011 by a healthy 3.3% compared to the Euro block’s 0.2%. The figures were better than the market expected, and the Shekel strengthened according.

Still plenty of jobs

Unfilled job vacancies in Israel rose by 2.3% to 69,200 in July 2011 from 67,700 in June.

Barclays is back

Barclays bank was a feature of mandate Palestine. It has now has received a license for commercial operations in Israel and has applied for membership of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.

Asia buys Israeli optics

Israel’s Elbit systems has won contracts with unspecified Asian countries worth $20 million for its electro-optical and night digital imaging systems.

More cruisers; less day-trippers

Tourist figures to Israel from Jan to July show a 42% increase in visits by cruise ship passengers compared to 2010. However day tourists from Egypt have unsurprisingly dried up.

Israelis buy more cars

There may be protest tents in 10 cities, but the new car market is not slowing down. Over 142,600 new cars have been sold in Israel in 2011 so far – a 15.5% increase on 2010.

Israel is still good for its debt

Whilst S&P were downgrading the US’s credit rating, it re-affirmed Israel’s.

And good for Start-ups

Venture capital investment into Israeli Internet start-up companies soared by 300% in the second quarter of 2011 compared with the same quarter in 2010.