Since 1948 Exports Up 4,700 - Fold And Population 8.5-Fold

On the eve of Israel’s 57th Independence Day, celebrated last week, the economic department of the Manufacturers Association of Israel (MAI) announced that Industrial exports, excluding diamonds, had grown 4,700-fold, from $5 million in 1948 to $23.6 billion in 2004.
 
The MAI also noted that the number of industrial workers rose 5.4-fold, from 65,000 to 350,000.
 
In a report issued on the occasion of the day of independence the MAI pointed out that since Israel gained independence the character of industry and exports has changed without recognition.
 
High-tech exports, which were negligible in 1948, reached last year $12.9 billion, over half of total 2004's exports. The number of enterprises employing more than five workers grew 3.3-fold, from 2,300 enterprises and workshops in 1948 to 7,650 in 2004.
 
The Central Bureau of Statistics ( CBS ) reported on the eve of its 57th independence day that Israel's population had grown 8.5-fold from 806,000 at independence in 1948 to 6.9 million.
 
The Central Bureau of Statistics also noted that Israel has 5.55 million Jews and that Arab population is 1.35 million, approximately 20% of the total population.