22% of Israel's total industrial exports attributed to 9,335 small exporters

According to Manufacturers Association statistics, published last week, small and medium-size companies exported in 2004 over $5.2 billion. The companies' export represent 22% of Israel's total industrial exports.
 
The Manufacturers Association noted that the present number of small exporters has reached 9,335, representing 94% of the total number of exporting companies. Some 2,000 small exporters were added in 2004 to the exporting companies sector.
 
According to Manufacturers Association each new entrant has performed exports of up to $3 million annually. This figure represents growth of 21%,compared with 2003.
 
The economic department of the Manufacturers Association has indicated that over the next 5 years 45,000 new jobs could be created by small exporters whose export alone can be increased from $1.8 billion in 2004 to over $5.5 billion, by the end of 2009.