OREANDA-NEWS. September 27, 2011. During the meeting with Minister of Industry, Trade and Labour of Israel Shalom Simhon, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis emphasized the need to further develop economic cooperation between the two countries. The sides acknowledged that the opening of the Latvia and Israeli Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Israel in November will be a dynamic step in strengthening the economic relations between both countries.

Both officials expressed satisfaction over the Latvia-Israel Business Forum which brought together entrepreneurs of the two countries. The Israel’s delegation is represented by entrepreneurs from such sectors as agriculture, information and communication technologies, food processing, financial and banking sector as well as investment funds.

Shalom Simhon used the opportunity to inform the Prime Minister about the Israel’s position regarding activation of the Palestinian issue in the UN. V.Dombrovskis expressed support for solving this issue through direct negotiations to ensure sustainable peace and security.

Economic cooperation between Latvia and Israel:
In the first half of 2010, Israel ranked 35th for Latvia’s export of goods and 38th for import. The total turnover in 2010 amounts to EUR 25 580 063 million. The main export goods to Israel are timber and timber products, electrical machinery, optical devices and apparatus as well as food industry products, while the main imports from Israel are electrical appliances, chemical industry products, incl., cosmetics as well as manufactured goods. According to the data by Lursoft, on March 4, 2011, the Israel’s investments in enterprises registered in Latvia amounted to LVL 3.37 million (41st place), while 235 Israel’s investors are registered in the Enterprise Register.