Manufacturers delegation to meet European leaders

Following a meeting between H.E. Mr. Ramiro Cibrian Uzal, EU Ambassador to Israel and Mr. Shraga Brosh, president of the Manufacturers Association it was agreed that Mr. Shraga Brosh will head a delegation of Israeli manufacturers to Brussels to meet EU leaders in an effort to reduce Israel's trade gap with Europe.
 
According to Brosh Israel's trade deficit, excluding diamonds, with the EU rose by 9.7% in 2004 to $4.6 billion. Israel plans to reduce this deficit by improving the competitiveness of exports to the EU. Israel exports to the EU, excluding diamonds, totaled $7.86 billion, and imports from the EU totaled $12.45 billion.
 
The EU Ambassador told Brosh that the EU viewed the promotion of economic and diplomatic relations with Israel as a strategic interest. He said the EU was open to Israel's requests, and recommended holding regular meetings, at least twice a year, with EU leaders to promote joint projects.
 
According to the Manufacturers Association Mr. Brosh renewed Israel's application to join UNICE, the EU manufacturers association, as part of the EU expansion program with neighboring states.