Mr. Shraga Brosh, chairman of The Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute, predicted last week that in 2005 exports would grow by 10%. In 2004 exports rose by 17% to $23.6 billion

After six years since Udi Angel became Chairman of ZIM, Angel has decided to end his chairmanship of ZIM. Angel will remain an active Board member and will serve as the Chairman of its Executive Committee

A spokesman for Israel Tax Authority said last week that an analysis of import figures indicated that in January 2005 NIS 219 million worth of electrical appliances and cars were imported,7.5% less than the NIS 236 million imported in January 2004

The Israeli Knesset (Parliament) passed last week the civil aviation authority law. The new law which was proposed by Minister of Transport Mr. Meir Sheetrit, went through its second and third readings

Mr. Yechiel Assia, director general of the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute said last week in a press release that industrial exports to the US, excluding diamonds, rose last year by 16% to $6.9 billion

The agreement signed last year between Minister of Industry Trade and Labor Ehud Olmert and EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy for the marking the origin of exports on Israeli made goods exported to the EU, came into effect last week

MSC Nerissa, a TEU 5,060, is the largest container ship ever to call Ashdod port. The ship will operate, for a short period, between N. European ports, Ashdod, Alexandria & Mersin

The Minister of Finance, Benjamin Netanyahu, met last week (27/01/05) in London with his British counterpart, Gordon Brown. During the meeting, Mr. Netanyahu invited Mr. Brown to visit Israel during the year