Israel Land of Spirituality, Diversity, and Ingenuity

1
Israel Land of Spirituality, Diversity, and
Ingenuity

• International Marketing
• Presentation By Nicole Braun, Aimee Loftus,
  Irina Zinnurova

2
A Little Land in the Center of the World

• Slightly larger that Massachusetts
• Gateway between 3 continents Africa, Asia,
  Europe
• Wide Range of geological identities from
  Mountains, Deserts, Mediterranean Sea Coast
  More.
• Centered in the Midst of Arab world in the Middle
  East.

Picture from www.mapsofworld.com
3
Over 4000 Years of History

• Holy Land to three of the worlds largest
  religions Judaism, Islam, Christianity
• Stems back to the Father literally and
  figuratively of the Hebrew/Jewish people and
  founder of three religions Abraham.
• Originally known as Canaan, named Israel after
  Abrahams grandson Jacob after GOD changed his
  name to Israel.
• Constantly shifted possession as the Jewish
  people were subject to captivity by surrounding
  nations.
• After Fall of Rome in 70 a.d. Jewish people were
  scattered and kicked out of Israel and Israel was
  renamed Palestinia
• Zionism and WWII paved the way for Jews to
  re-enter Israel.
• 1948 Israel declares its statehood.

4
Understand Religion, Understand Israel

• Contains over 23 holy places scared to 3
  religions and source of much controversy with in
  Israel and the Middle East.
• Each religion has its own courts backed by
  government support.
• There is no separation of church and state within
  Israel, but there is freedom of religion.
• 76.4 of Israel is Jewish by which gives rise to
  much of Israeli culture and politics.

Photo from www.CBSNews.com
5
Jewish Influence on Israeli Culture
When traveling to Israel, below are just a few
aspects require a good understanding of the
Jewish religion.

• People
• As the Jewish homeland, most of the population
  of Israel is immigrants who returned from all
  corners of the earth. Largest influx came as
  result of Nazi concentration camps in WWII.
• Additionally, the majority of the population
  adheres to Jewish religious beliefs and laws
• All Jews are granted automatic citizenship.
• Language
• Hebrew
• Nationalism

• The Flag
• Money
• Shekel
• Calendar Time
• The beginning of the day
• Sabbath
• National holidays
• Food
• Kosher foods
• Dress
• Modesty
• Education

6
Where Religion Ends, Diversity Begins

• Influence from a mainly immigrant population and
  its location between 3 continents has made Israel
  a melting pot of ideals.
• Israel, with only 60 years of statehood,
  struggles to find an identity and balance out its
  diverse people.
• With the majority of Immigrants from Western
  Europe and America, Israel culture reflects many
  aspects of that in the United States and Europe.
• The United States has also influenced Israeli
  culture and politics as its biggest trade partner
  and political Ally.

Photo from www.ic-creations.com
7
Where American meets Israeli

• Israelis share many things in common with much of
  the United States and Europe.
• Dress
• English 1st most spoken foreign language
• Entertainment
• Greetings
• Communicating Conversation
• Many of the Ways Business is generally conducted.
• As countries of Immigrants, the United States and
  Israel share much of the same ideals and ways of
  life.

8
Other Interesting Facts

• When going to Israel, it is important to remember
  the little things that people do not always think
  about.
• Gift Giving
• Dining Etiquette
• Attitudes toward Foreigners

9
An Economy Built on Ingenuity
Israels small size means limited resources.
Surrounded by enemies on all sides, Israel has
had to be revolutionary in its industry to simply
survive as a country.

• Advanced Agriculture
• Almost no importation, despite limited water
  supply.
• Exports that exceed Imports
• Transportation
• Advanced Healthcare and World recognized
  facilities
• Rose out of issues caused by immigration shortly
  before Israels statehood.

• 4.8 of Israeli GDP is spent on RD, Worlds
  highest.
• Highly Skilled Labor force
• Large service sector comprising 50 of labor
  force
• Large investment in technological Sector
• 90 of RD money
• Education emphasizing in scientific and
  technological skills.

10
Foreign Trade

• The economy is heavily dependent on foreign trade
  because of lack of natural resources.
• The U.S.A. and EU are two largest trading
  partners
• The top three export partners are the U.S.A.,
  Belgium, and China
• The top three import partners are the U.S.A.,
  Belgium, and Germany
• In April 2007
• Imports of goods totaled 4.0 billion
• Export of goods totaled 3.0 billion
• The trade deficit totaled 1.0 billion

11
Foreign Direct Investment

• a positive and open attitude toward Foreign
  Direct Investment
• Israeli government encourages investment by both
  domestic and foreign companies
• Investment incentives to industries that increase
  the countries exports and create jobs
• Foreign investors do not have any restrictions in
  which sector to invest except where there are
  defense consideration
• Provide RD grants
• Offers largest tax reductions to foreign owned
  companies in comparison with domestic owned
• Main tool to regulate foreign investors are
  Encouragement of Capital Investment Law and the
  RD Industrial Encouragement Law

12
Reasons to do Business in Israel

• Economy
• Resilient, global-oriented, and advanced
  technology based
• A developed mixed market
• Highly competitive economy
• Economy functions similar to Western Europe
• 2nd behind Canada in the number of foreign
  companies traded
• Number 17 out of 131 in its 2007 Global
  Competitive Index
• Purchasing power in comparison with its
  neighbors
• Country Per Capita GDP
• Egypt 4,400
• Israel 22,300
• Jordan 4,800
• Lebanon 5,300
• Syria 3,400

13
Reasons to do Business in Israel

• 2. Venture Capital
• Multinational companies like HP, Time Warner
  Inc., Sony, Cisco invest in Israel
• In 2004 foreign funds represent 55 of total
  dollars invested
• The highest venture/GDP rate in the world
• The impressive entrepreneurial culture

14
Reasons to do Business in Israel

• 3. Language
• Official languages Hebrew and Arabic
• English, Russian, French are widely spoken
• English is
• required language in most schools
• Business language
• Public signs and street names in Hebrew, Arabic,
  Russian, and English

15
Reasons to do Business in Israel

• Constantly innovating
• One of the most technological advanced countries
  in the world
• More engineers per capita than in other countries
• The forefront of biomedical and technical
  innovation
• The highest rate of RD investment per GDP in the
  world
• Israels 23 high-tech incubators support young
  companies with 200 active projects and 735
  graduated projects in the last ten years
• Microsoft, Motorola, Intel have RD centers

16
Reasons to do Business in Israel

• 5. Incentives Benefits
• Supportive business environment
• Different types of incentives
• Conditional grants (up to 50) of the Approved
  RD budget
• Tax Benefits for an Approved Enterprises over a
  period of seven years
• Protection of trademarks, patents, and other
  intellectual property
• Comprehensive legal protection of foreign
  companies
• Worldwide taxation and customs treaties
• Privatization of government companies
• Liberalization of foreign currency
• Tax holidays for up to ten years for foreign
  companies

17
Reasons to do Business in Israel

• 6. Trade Agreement

18
Reasons to do Business in Israel

• 7. Human Resources
• One of the most highly educated, motivate, and
  dynamic workforces in the world that adapts
  itself to changes
• Highest percent of scientists and technicians per
  capita in the world
• The highest ratios of universities degrees and
  academic publications per capita

19
Reasons to do Business in Israel
20
Questions