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Doing business & staying in touch

Israel, has an informal approach to business etiquette. Suits and ties may be worn but more relaxed 'smart-casual' clothing, while doing business or attending meetings, is more usual. In business life as in other personal dealings, Israelis tend to be direct and straightforward and plain speaking is much appreciated. Normal courtesies should always be observed, and business cards exchanged, although business meetings tend to be much less formal than in the UK or the USA.

English is generally spoken well by businesspeople and is used out of politeness if non-Israelis are present. Social interaction is important and relaxed lunch meetings or even outings together may be used to develop trust. Business meetings may be held over dinner and can take place in a private home or restaurant. If in a private home, a small gift (of flowers or chocolates, for example) is usually appropriate.

Business hours are generally Sunday to Thursday 0830-1730/1800. On Fridays, businesses shut at 1230 or 1300 for the Sabbath (Shabbat), which starts at sundown on Friday and continues until Saturday evening. Some are closed for the whole of Friday and Saturday.

Office hours: 

Usually Sun-Thurs 0830-1800 and mornings only on Friday.

Economy: 

Israel has a diverse and sophisticated manufacturing economy with real growth rate at a respectable 5%. High technology is the largest sector. In 2006 the tech sector accounted for US$14 billion. High-tech services form about 20% of Israeli businesses and the number of technology companies in Israel (4,000) is second only to California. The rest of the industrial sector is concentrated on engineering, aircraft, electronics, chemicals, biotechnology, textiles and food-processing.

Agriculture is relatively small (about 4.2% of GDP) with citrus fruit and cut flowers as main exports. Mining is expanding through production of potash and bromine. There has been considerable investment in tourism, which, however, is sensitive to political developments and currently stands at only about 2% of GDP. Many Israeli companies are listed both on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ or the New York Stock Exchange.

The labour force is about 2.5 million. Around 10% of workers are employed in the defence industry. Unemployment stands at about 7.5%. Israel's per capita income of US$28,271 (2008) places it within the top 35 highest earning nations. (Salaries in the Palestinian Territories are considerably lower at just US$1,200 per year.)

The economy benefits from the steady influx of immigrants who are highly educated professionals.

An annual aid package from the USA in 2010 stands at an estimated US$3 billion in military aid, US$240 million in civilian aid and US$10 billion in loan guarantees.
Israel attracts about 150 international meetings a year with 50,000 delegates; scientific and academic meetings account for about half the meetings, though religious and sporting events are on the increase. 55% of meetings are held in Jerusalem. Apart from hotels and convention centres in Jerusalem, Eliat and Tel Aviv, opportunities also exist to hold meetings in kibbutzim.

GDP: 

US$209.6 billion (2009).

Main exports: 

High-tech equipment, computer software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals and textiles.

Main imports: 

Raw materials, military equipment, rough diamonds, fuel and grain.

Main trading partners: 

USA, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and UK.

Staying in touch in Israel

Telephone: 

Local telephone directories are in Hebrew, but there is a special English-language version for tourists.

Mobile phone: 

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. There is coverage all over the country, including the Negev Desert. Visitors should note that it is illegal to drive whilst holding a mobile telephone.

Internet: 

There are many internet cafés. Wi-Fi is also widely available in hotels, cafés and some public areas such as Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem.

Post: 

Airmail to Europe or the US takes up to one week.

Post office hours: 

May vary but are generally Sun-Tues and Thurs 0800-1200 and 1530-1830, Wed 0800-1330 and Fri 0800-1200. All post offices are closed on Shabbat (Saturday) and holy days, although central telegraph offices are open throughout the year.

Media: 

Israel has vibrant and exceptionally diverse media, produced in Hebrew, Arabic, English and Russian, expressing all viewpoints and spanning the entire political spectrum. All publications are privately owned, and there is no state interference with editorial. News in English is broadcast on radio and TV several times daily. The main daily newspapers are Ha'aretz (www.haaretzdaily.com), Ma'ariv (www.nrg.co.il) and Yedioth Aharonoth (www.ynetnews.com). The main English-language daily is the Jerusalem Post (www.jpost.com).

Most Israeli households subscribe to cable or satellite TV, with a big package of foreign news networks, including Sky, BBC World, CNN and Al-Jazeera. The Israel Broadcasting Authority operates public TV Channel 1, and there are several commercial terrestrial channels.

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