ECONOMIC SURVEY - 01-Feb-94

(COMMUNICATED BY GPO)

Jerusalem, February 1, 1994

* DELEGATIONS FROM 30 COUNTRIES TO EXAMINE 300 PROJECTS IN ISRAEL.
Economic delegations from about 30 countries, including Singapore, South Korea, the United States, France, Britain, countries from South America and the CIS, and perhaps Morocco, are scheduled to participate at the Fourth Business Conference of the Israeli Forum, February 28 - March 2, 1994. This year, the conference will focus on two main issues: the Middle East economy in the era of peace; and Israel as a bridge between West and East. The purpose of the conference is to bring representatives of the Israeli government and business together with their colleagues from abroad, and to enable visitors to personally examine investment opportunities, cooperation and trade relations with Israeli companies.

President Ezer Weizman will officially open the conference on 28 February and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres is slated to speak during the panel discussion on the Middle East economy in the era of peace. Guests of honor at the conference will include Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Finance Minister Avraham Shochat, former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Trade and Industry Minister Micha Harish and Bank of Israel Governor Yaakov Frenkel. ('Telegraph', 26.1.94)

* LARGE DUTCH ECONOMIC DELEGATION TO VISIT ISRAEL IN EARLY FEBRUARY.
A delegation from the Netherlands, led by the Dutch foreign trade minister, will arrive in Israel in early February for a two-day visit, as the guest of the Industry and Trade Ministry. The delegation, the largest of its kind ever to visit from the Netherlands, will include representatives from about 33 companies in various fields, such as: machinery, gas and petroleum, insurance and maritime services. With progress being made in the peace process, there is great interest by Dutch companies in getting to know Israel. In addition to touring Israeli companies, the delegation members will also visit the territories and meet with Palestinian representatives. ('Telegraph', 26.1.94)

* AGREXCO EXPORTS $1 MILLION OF CITRUS FRUIT TO RUSSIA.
In December 1993, Agrexco exported about 3,000 tons of citrus fruit to Russia, worth about $1 million. Yitzhak Lipkis, the Agrexco official responsible for sales of citrus fruit to eastern European markets, noted that this was the first time that a deal of such scope had been carried out in the Russian market. Agrexco views this deal as an important breakthrough, especially against the background of the difficulties in exporting fresh produce to the countries of the CIS, due to the latter's hard currency shortage and the absence of sophisticated distribution and logistical means in those countries. Agrexco has also reported that in December there were significant exports of other agricultural products to the CIS, including flowers, strawberries and tomatoes. ('Telegraph', 26.1.94)

* ISRAELI DELEGATION TO ATTEND GERMAN FASHION TRADE FAIR.

A delegation of 31 Israeli fashion industry manufacturers, organized by the Export Institute, is to leave this week for Dusseldorf, where it will participate in the Israeli pavilion at the CPD international fashion exhibition. The show, held this year on February 6-9, opens the fashion year and is the first occasion for manufacturers and buyers to update each other regarding supply and demand in the fashion market. The Israeli pavilion will hold fashion shows three times daily for buyers.