_a.jpg "צילום: אבישג שאר-ישוב")
Israeli exports up 4.5% in 2011
IEICI figures point to impressive increase considering global economic slowdown, with exports totaling $89 billion. Exports to East Asia amount to only $9 billion as a result of Israeli manufacturers' failure to enter Asian markets
These data do not include the exports of startup companies and acquisitions of Israeli startups by foreign companies.
These are impressive figures considering the economic slowdown experienced by most of the world last year, but disappointing in comparison to the Israeli industry's achievements in previous years. Israeli exports recorded a steady growth from 2002 to 2008, dropped in 2009 due to the financial crisis, but leaped by 19% in 2010.
It should be noted that most of the increase in exports last year stems from the growth in the export of services supplied by Israeli companies abroad and in the export of diamonds.
The export of goods excluding diamonds totaled $46 billion – a rise of only 1.7%.
Successful industries: Software, diamonds
The export of services totaled some $26 billion – up 6% from 2010, mainly due to a 35% rise in the export of computerization and software services. The export of diamonds totaled $10.7 billion – a 20% rise.
High-tech exports totaled $21 billion – up 6%; medicine exports amounted to $7 billion – an 8% increase; the export of communication and medical equipment totaled $8 billion – a 4.5% rise; and the export of electronics and computers amounted to $4.5 billion – up 5% from 2010.
The export of chemicals and machinery totaled $14 billion – up 18%, the export of minerals and plastic and metal products amounted to $7.5 billion – a 13% increase.
Textile and food exports totaled some $4 billion – an 8% rise stemming mainly from the rising prices of goods.
Exports to the United States totaled $12 billion, similar to 2010. Exports to Europe (including Russia and Turkey) amounted to $18.5 billion – up 21% from the previous year due to the US dollar's appreciation against the euro and the ongoing growth in the northern part of the continent.
Exports to East Asia grew by 6%, totaling only $9 billion. Israeli manufacturers often declare that Asia is their main export destination, but in the meantime exports to Asia still make up a very small part of Israeli exports.
Exports to Latin America were up 3%, totaling $2.5 billion. Exports to Africa leaped by 25%, totaling $1.5 billion.
Exports to Arab countries (not including the Palestinian Authority) amounted to $3 billion – a 10% rise compared to 2010. Exports to the PA were similar.
Despite the encouraging figures for 2011, exporters are concerned about 2012. A forecast composed by IEICI economists points to a mere 1.5% increase in exports this year.
According to IEICI Chairman Ramzi Gabai, "In the coming year Israeli exporters are expected to deal with drops in demand in Israel's main destination markets due to the global economic slowdown and the shekel's appreciation.
