David Artzi estimated that in 2006 export would show a 5% increase in exports to Latin America, to total USD 1.4 billion
According to report released last week by the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute, Israeli exports to Latin America during the first quarter of 2006 totaled US$ 269 million, a 1.5% increase compared to the same period last year.
According to the report 3,811 Israeli exporters were working in Latin America, including diamond exporters. In 2005, 283 Israeli companies launched export programs to Latin America – increasing the number of export companies working there by 8%.
David Artzi, Chairman of the Israel Export Institute, estimated that in 2006 export would show a 5% increase in exports to Latin America, to total USD 1.4 billion.
Exports to Argentina rose in the first quarter by 2% compared to the same period in 2005, totaled US$ 15 million. There was a 17.5% rise in exports to Peru, which totaled US$ 5.5 million, as did exports to Venezuela, which reflected a 35.5% increase.
Exports to Mexico were worth US$ 57 million, a 7% increase and exports to Paraguay increased far more: by 166%, totaling US$ 800,000.
Export to Columbia increased by 125%, to US$ 25 million, and to Chile rose 51% to total US$ 18 million. Bolivian exports rose 99.5% to US$ 1.6 million.
Although exports to most Latin American countries showed a significant increase, exports to Brazil dropped 22 percent to total USD 63 million in the first quarter of 2006.
Israel exports to Latin America consists mainly of chemicals, oil-refining products, and telecommunications machinery and equipment .
