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Objectives:
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1. |
Encouraging exports and economic cooperation.
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2. |
Establishing relations between Israel and multinational companies, foreign
countries and international economic organizations through:
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Assisting exporters penetrate new markets and expand existing ones.
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Assisting in raising capital and creating strategic partnerships.
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Initiating and implementing international trade agreements, both bi- and
multi-lateral.
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Maintaining and improving Israel's foreign trade agreements.
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Strengthening industrial and research cooperation.
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Developing of economic ties with countries, which previously prohibited such
ties.
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Assisting Israeli companies to participate in internationally funded projects
and those sponsored by foreign governments.
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The network of economic representatives abroad and the Foreign Trade Authority
of the Ministry of Industry and Trade carry out the above activities.
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The Authority is Divided into Two Branches:
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The International Branch is responsible for negotiating MEN agreements with
Israel's trading partners. Additional areas of responsibility include:
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Ongoing maintenance and updating of agreements in accordance with trade
developments and participation on committees with the objective of improving existing
trade agreements.
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Implementing the decisions of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
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In addition, the Trade Levies Department is responsible for preventing "dumping" in
Israel in accordance with existing legislation.
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The Export Promotion Branch is composed of geographic and administrative
desks.
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The geographic desks (Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, Latin
America, Asia-Oceania, Africa and the Middle East) are responsible for ongoing ties
with the countries and organizations in their region. This includes hosting guests
from their region (with the assistance of the Department of Hosting and Foreign
Liaisons), assisting exporters and businessmen interested in establishing economic
ties with their region, assisting Israel's economic representatives abroad and
assisting foreign economic representatives in Israel to solve trade problems.
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Additional Departments:
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The Department for Hosting, Foreign Liaisons and Public Relations
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The Department for Foreign Trade Budgets and Export Registration
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A new desk has recently been established whose function is to locate internationally
funded projects and projects initiated by foreign governments and to assist Israeli
companies wishing to become involved in these projects.
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In addition, the Authority is involved in the protection of intellectual property rights
through its coordination of the various bodies dealing in this area.
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The Middle East and the Palestinian Authority
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Within the framework of the Foreign Trade Authority, there is a department
responsible for trade relations between Israel and the countries of the Middle East
and North Africa and the special relations with the Palestinian Authority.
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Israel has direct trade relations with Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritania,
Oman and Qatar. The value of trade with these countries amounts to some $150
million while the value of indirect trade is even larger.
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Israel has a special trade agreement with Jordan, which includes customs
preference and also has an NFM agreement with Egypt.
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There exist partial trade agreements with the other countries mentioned above. The
Middle East Department works toward improving the agreements and understandings
with these countries and solves day-to-day problems.
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Relations with the Palestinian Authority can be divided
into three areas:
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1.
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Implementation of the bilateral agreements and
preparations for Final Status
negotiations.
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2.
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Coordination between Israeli and Palestinian bodies in
the establishment of
industrial areas in border areas.
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3.
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Dealing with international aspects of relations with the
Palestinian Authority
including meetings with foreign representatives.
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For further information:
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Foreign Trade Authority
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Agron St. 30, Jerusalem 94190
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Tel: 02-6220289
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Fax: 02-6243005
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For further information:
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Middle East Department ,
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