Israeli textile worker produces more than 8 times the amount of their Chinese counterparts

The Israeli textile industry is expected to grow 7% in 2007, reaching about $2.54 billion, with exports to Egypt expected to surge 30% during the year
 
Mr. Adi Livne chairman of The Textile and Fashion Industries Association at the Israeli Manufacturers Association said last week that that each Israeli textile worker currently produces $60,000 worth of textiles, more than eight times the amount of their Chinese counterparts. Because of this, in 2006, the local textile industry grew 1% despite the fact that 10 factories were closed and 500 workers sacked.
 
The Textile and Fashion Industries Association numbers around 140 companies, employing thousands of workers. The Association comprises secondary sections in various fields, including: dyeing, military/security textiles, domestic textiles, swimwear, underwear, apparel and raw materials.
 
In a press conference to mark the Israeli textile and fashion industry, Livne noted thatthe Israeli textile industry is expected to grow 7% in 2007, reaching NIS 10.7 billion (about $2.54 billion), with exports to Egypt expected to surge 30% during the year.
 
Textile exports to Egypt doubled in 2006, reaching $54 million, and are projected to hit $70 million in 2007, due to the QIZ Agreement (Qualified Industrial Zones) signed with Egypt & the USA in February 2005.
 
Livne also reported an incident where a group of well known Egyptian textile manufacturers on their way into Israel for pre-arranged business meetings were stopped at Ben-Gurion airport and questioned for a number of hours by Israeli security officers, despite the fact that the businessmen had arrived with the proper documents.
 
Following the incident the Manufacturers Association reported that it had recommended to the Israel Airports Authority and the Ministry of Transportation that they re-think and change their policies in regard to foreign businessmen entering the country in order to avoid similar situations in the future.