The improved New Sirius Service, which starts operating at the beginning of March 2008 on a weekly basis, includes two separate slings

The deal was announced during a two-day summit of Mercosur leaders in the Uruguayan capital

Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute chairman David Arzi predicted a further 10% rise in 2008 to US$77 billion

The goal is to try to reach an agreement by the year-end. Mercosur is the largest trade bloc in Latin America, and includes Brazil, one of the world’s ten largest economies

The main contenders to join besides Israel are Chile, Brazil, Russia, China, India, South Africa, Cyprus and the latest European Union members

The ICIC extends credit facilities to Israeli exporters active in 115 countries, to the level of US$9 billion annually

International police agency Interpol had accepted Israel into its European region. The decision came during Interpol's general assembly held week before last in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Exports to the US grew by 98% over the corresponding period in 2005, to $1.17 billion; Exports to Eastern Europe and the Far East rose by 69%. The industry employs 7,000 workers