5-year wine export plan approved by Olmert

Ehud Olmert, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Industry, Trade, and Labor approved last week a five-year plan targeted at doubling Israeli wine exports.
 
A press release made by the ministry said Olmert accepted proposals made by a committee headed by Israel Wine Institute chairman Yaron Kimhi. The committee included representatives of local wineries - Carmel Mizrachi Wineries, Domaine du Castel, Efrat Wine Cellars, Barkan Wine Cellars, Golan Heights Winery, Binyamina Wine Cellars, and Margalit Winery, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute.
 
In 2004 Israel’s wine exports totaled $13.2 millions, 15% more than in 2003. Israeli wineries exported wine to 57 countries, including the US - $7 million, France - $1.2 million, and the UK - $1 million.
 
Kimhi said that under the plan, $1 million will be invested annually in the next five years to advance wine exports.
 
He added that the plan is aimed at branding Israeli wine as high-quality, with a wine producing tradition in Israel.
 
Kimhi believe that success of the proposed plan would lead to expansion of vineyards, improve Israel’s standing, and contributed to incoming tourism.
 
The plan emphasizes marketing Israeli wines in overseas stores by setting up special areas within the stores, in restaurants, and creating awareness of Israeli wines by publishing winery literature, posters etc.