New Delhi, Aug 13: The bilateral trade between India and Israel has increased to $590 million in the first half of the year 2000, which is 33 per cent higher than that in the corresponding period in the last year. India's exports to Israel has increased by 40 per cent. The total bilateral trade between India and Israel in 1999 reached a new peak of almost $1 billion which is five times more than in 1992 when full-fledged diplomatic relations was established between the two countries. India's exports to Israel amounted to $285 million while Israel's exports to India amounted $305 million. India achieved a high of 40 per cent increase in total exports to Israel in the first half of the year 2000, while Israel's exports to India increased by only 26 per cent.The major items of exports from India were footwear which increased by 112 per cent, machinery which increased by 64 per cent, polished diamond which increased by 50 per cent, textiles which increased by 45 per cent and chemical products which increased by 31 per cent. Major items of exports by Israel were electronic equipment which increased by 154 per cent, optical and medical equipment which increased by 60 per cent, raw diamonds which increased by 34 per cent and chemical products which increased by 32 per cent.
Speaking to The Financial Express, the counselor for economic affairs in the Israeli embassy, Amiram Halevy said that the total bilateral trade between India and Israel in 1999 reached a new peak of almost $1 billion which is five times more than in 1992 when full-fledged diplomatic relations was established between the two countries. A level of $1 billion trade was targeted only for the year 2000 but the performance in the first half of 2000 is encouraging enough to cross the target.
Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.