China Israel Bilateral Trade

General

China and Israel began their trade relations long before the actual establishment of the diplomatic relations in 1992. Though the initial figures were quite modest, due to the constant and rapid growth in trade throughout the years, the bilateral trade between the two countries has already surpassed 4 billion US$ (Nov. 2007).

In light of these economic developments and trends between the two countries, in 2005 China was defined by the Israeli Ministry of Industry and Trade as an "Israeli Export Target Country". The main goal of this program is to encourage Israeli exports, especially in the fields of Telecommunication and High-Tech, Agro-technology, Security, Environment and Infrastructures to the Chinese market.

Due to the upcoming Olympic Games that will be held in Beijing in August 2008, a delegation headed by the Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade visited China in 2005. The delegation visited the North-Eastern provinces of China.

In January 2008, the Israeli Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor headed an official business delegation, including heads of leading Israeli companies to China, in order to promote trade ties and cooperation between the two countries. 

Each year, business delegations in various fields are conducted to different provinces to expose the local industries to Israeli companies in their field. Delegations were already successfully conducted in provinces such as Guangdong, Sichuan, Yunnan, Hainan, Heilongjiang etc.

The Israeli Economic activity in China is also expanding – in 2005, an Trade Representative office was established in southern China in the city of Shenzhen, and in 2006 one was established in Northeast China in the city of Dalian.    

Israel and China - Exports and Imports

By November 2007 the Bilateral Trade between China and Israel reached US$4.1 Billion, an increase of 34%. Exports reached US$923.6 million and Imports - US$3.17 billion.

China 's export to Israel has grown rapidly in the past few years. The composition of the Chinese export to Israel has also changed. The export now is composed of more high end products including hi-tech products.

Israeli export to China reflects its relevant advantages: Agro-technology such as drip irrigation, seeds, green houses, has been one of the first fields, where Israeli companies have managed to use their unique technologies and know-how. In other fields such as telecommunication, software and medical equipment, Israeli companies have managed to penetrate and even dominate some niches. The Israeli companies usually offer advanced though simple products and technologies which are much more suitable for the Chinese market.

Major Exports

Israel – China, Jan. - Nov. 2007

(Source: Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, Nov. 2007)

Major Imports from China

Israel – China, Jan. - Nov. 2007

(Source: Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, Nov. 2007)