Government reformed list of trade forbidden countries

In a major step to further opening  the Israeli economy to outside competition, the Director General of the Ministry of Trade & Industry, issued, on July 12th,a decree to temporarily abolish the need to gain an import license for goods imported from the following countries:
Morocco, Tunisia, Oman, Mongolia, Cambodia, Congo, East Timor , United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Mozambique, Turkmenistan, Bosnia, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan.
 
Last year the ministry granted a similar temporary abolishment for import license for goods imported from Indonesia and Malaysia  .
 
Mr. Ranan Dinor director general of the ministry said that the new decree will not only simplify trade but also will enable exporters to buy cheaper raw materials.
 
The decision will also serve as a sign to those countries with which bilateral trade has been rather low. The decree will be in force until 31st of August 2004 however prior to that day the government will re-asses the situation.