Ministry of External Affairs

Contact us

Home

Embassy of India

Tel Aviv

image001

Ambassador

Embassy

Passport

Visa

Schemes & Scholarships

Gallery

GoI Links

India-Israel Relations

 

        Overview of India-Israel Bilateral Trade and Economic Relations

 

      Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Israel in 1992, bilateral trade and economic relations have progressed rapidly. From a base of US$ 200 million in 1992 (comprising primarily of diamonds), merchandise trade has diversified and had increased sharply reaching US$ 4747.1 million in 2010 (an increase of 59.92% compared to 2009, US$ 2968.3 million).

 

     In 2010, India stood at the sixth place in terms of Israel's trade partner countries and the third largest trade partner in Asia after China and Hong Kong (trade data includes diamonds) and remained a 'focus' country of the Israeli Government for increased trade effort. In 2010, India was ranked 9th largest import source of Israel including diamonds, and 14th largest import source excluding diamonds. In addition, India was ranked 4th largest export destination of Israel (including diamonds) and 5th when excluding diamonds (in Jan-Dec 2010).

 

   While India's exports to Israel in areas other than diamonds have increased over the years, Diamonds still constituted around 49% of the bilateral trade in the year 2010.

 

     Major exports from India to Israel include precious stones and metals, chemical products, textile and textile articles, plants and vegetable products, mineral products, rubber and plastic products, base metals and machinery. Major exports from Israel to India include precious stones and metals, chemical and mineral products, base metals, machinery, and transport equipment.

      According to figures released by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (Government of India), FDI inflows from Israel to India from April 2000 to March 2011 totaled US$ 53.14 million placing it at 38th rank (0.04% of total FDI inflows to India). These figures, however, may not accurately reflect the FDI from Israel, as a number of Israeli companies also invest in India through the US and Europe route.

 

While the traditional business thrust in diamonds, agriculture, chemicals, information & communication technology and pharmaceuticals remained strong, there is a growing interest from Israeli companies in clean energy, water technologies, biotech, nanotech, homeland security, real estate, infrastructure and financial services.

           

    Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, several agreements were signed between Israel and India including the following:

·        Agreement for Promotion and Protection of Investments (Jan 1996) – Click here for the text of the bilateral agreement

·        Avoidance of Double Taxation and for the Prevention of Fiscal evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital (Jan 1996)

·        Bilateral Agreement regarding Mutual Assistance and Cooperation in Customs Matters (1996)

·        Agreement on Cooperation in Peace Uses of Outer Space (2002)

·        Agreement for Cooperation in the field of Protection of the Environment (2003)

·        MOU on India-Israel Research and Development Fund Initiative (2005)

·        Agriculture Work Plan (2006)

 

Recent High-level Visits: There have been many high level bilateral visits in 2010 and 2011 which have given a great impetus to the bilateral relations. The Israeli Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor, Mr. Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, visited India in January 2010 along with a big trade delegation. Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Mr. visited Israel in Feb 2010 folljowd by visit in March of Mr. Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences. The Israeli Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development visited India in April 2011 and had extensive discussions with our Minister for Agriculture and other senior officials in the context of India-Israel cooperation in Agriculture. In this context the two Ministers signed a joint declaration and also agreed to appoint joint teams to work out an action plan for the years 2012-2014. Minister of State for Telecommunications & IT Mr. Sachin Pilot visited Israel from May 30-June 1, 2011 and met the Israeli Minister for Industry, Trade & Labor and Minister for Communications. Mr. Pilot also attended the Israeli High Tech Industry’s Annual Conference and met Israeli entrepreneurs.

 

     In May 2005, an MOU on Industrial Research and Development Initiative between Department of Science & Technology, Government of India and the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Labor, Government of Israel was signed with the objectives of promoting activities of bilateral industrial R&D cooperation and to identity and promote specific projects that could lead to industrial R&D. Under this MOU India and Israel also set up a joint industrial Research and Development fund (called i4RD) to encourage investment and joint ventures.

 

    Within the context of the i4RD bilateral framework, funding mechanisms have been created, through which industry, may seek support for joint bilateral research and development (R&D) projects, involving at least one Indian and one Israeli company. The bi-lateral framework is jointly implemented by Global Innovation and Technology Alliance (GITA), an initiative Department of Science & Technology of the Ministry of Science & Technology in India (DST), and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on behalf of Department of Science & Technology, in India and MATIMOP, Israeli Industry Centre for R&D, on behalf of the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) in Israel. Few projects have already been financed by this fund.

 

     A comprehensive Work Plan for cooperation in the field of agriculture was signed on 10th May 2006 (when Mr. Shalom Simhon, the current Agriculture Minister was holding the same portfolio). The Work Plan which was to be in force till 1.6.2008 was followed by an Action Plan 2008-2010 (more information in the following pages). 

 

Shavit Programme: On March 30, 2009, the Israeli Export and International Cooperation Institute (IEICI), a semi- government organization under the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade & Labour had introduced the “Shavit Program” which focused on the three fastest growing economies of the world: India, China and Brazil. In the Indian context the program initially focused on three main sectors: Telecom, IT, and Home Land Security and later widened to include, Agriculture &Water management and biotech. Under this programme delegations from HLS, IT and Telecom Sectors visited India resulting in much greater interaction between the Indian and Israeli companies. Though this programme is now officially wound up, the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade & Labor in cooperation with their Ministry of Finance have introduced a new programme to expand the country’s exports to India and China. A sum of US$ 100 million has been allocated to this programme which, to begin with, is aimed at helping about 20 Israeli companies to expand their exports to India. This new programme is expected to be active and running shortly.

 

 

Bilateral trade figures for the period January-December 2010:

 

Salient points of the bilateral trade figures during January–December 2010 (Central Bureau of Statistics of Israel) are as follows:

 

§        India-Israel two-way trade during Jan-Dec 2010 increased by 59.92% from US$ 2968.3 million in Jan-Dec 2009 to US$ 4747.1 million in Jan-Dec 2010.

 

§        Indian exports to Israel during January-December of 2010 increased by 59.45% (from US$ 1157.4 million in Jan-Dec 2009 to US$ 1845.5 million in Jan-Dec 2010). Indian exports to Israel excluding diamonds increased by 37.68% (from US$ 518.2 million in Jan-Dec 2009 to US$ 713.5 million in Jan-Dec 2010).

 

§        Israeli exports to India during January-December of 2010 increased by 60.22% (from US$ 1810.9 million in Jan-Dec 2009 to US$ 2901.6 million in Jan-Dec 2010). Israeli exports to India excluding diamonds for this period increased by 41.05% (from US$ 1198.5 millions in Jan-Dec 2009 to US$ 1690.6 millions in Jan-Dec 2010).

 

§        There was an increase of 87.2% in diamonds traded between the two countries during January-December of 2010 (from US$ 1251 millions in Jan-Dec 2009 to US$ 2343 millions in Jan-Dec 2010). Exports of diamonds from India to Israel during this period increased by 77.09% (from US$ 639.2 million in Jan-Dec 2009 to US$ 1132 million in Jan-Dec 2010) while imports into India increased by 97.74% (from US$ 612.4 million in Jan-Dec 2009 to US$ 1211 million in Jan-Dec 2010).

 

§        Balance of trade during January-December of 2010 is in Israel’s favor by US$ 1056.1 millions.

 

§        Israel’s two-way global trade during January-December of 2010 increased by 23.34% (from US$ 95,303.7 million in Jan-Dec 2009 to US$ 117,553.0 million in Jan-Dec 2010). India’s share in Israel’s two way global trade in this period increased from 3.11% (in Jan-Dec 2009) to 4.03% (in Jan-Dec 2010).  

 

§        Share of India’s exports in Israel’s global imports (including diamonds) for this period, increased from 2.44% (in Jan-Dec 2009) to 3.12% (in Jan-Dec 2010).  

 

§        Share of India’s exports in Israel’s global imports (excluding diamonds) for this period increased from 1.23% (in Jan-Dec 2009) to 1.4% (in Jan-Dec 2010).

 

§        India is ranked 9th largest import source of Israel including diamonds, and 14th largest import source excluding diamonds (in Jan-Dec 2010).

 

§        Share of Israel’s exports to India in Israel’s global exports (including diamonds) for this period, increased from 3.77% (in Jan-Dec 2009) to 4.96% (in Jan-Dec 2010).

§        Share of Israel’s exports to India in Israel’s global exports (excluding diamonds) for this period increased from 3.29% (in Jan-Dec 2009) to 4.02% (in Jan-Dec 2010).

 

§        India is ranked 4th largest export destination of Israel (including diamonds) and 5th when excluding diamonds (in Jan-Dec 2010).

 

Overview of the Bilateral Trade and Cooperation in Major Sectors:

 

(1) Diamond Industry:

   

While India's exports to Israel in areas other than diamonds have increased over the years, Diamonds still constituted around 49% of the bilateral trade in the year 2010. A number of Indian diamond dealers have opened offices at the Israeli Diamond Exchange building in Ramat Gan, in the Tel Aviv district, and some of these diamond dealers have been active here for many years now. In addition, a branch of the State Bank of India was opened in Ramat Gan (next to the Diamond Exchange buildings) on June 2007.  

 

     There was an increase of 87.2% in diamonds traded between the two countries during January-December of 2010 (from US$ 1251 millions in Jan-Dec 2009 to US$ 2343 millions in Jan-Dec 2010). Exports of diamonds from India to Israel during this period increased by 77.09% (from US$ 639.2 million in Jan-Dec 2009 to US$ 1132 million in Jan-Dec 2010) while imports into India increased by 97.74% (from US$ 612.4 million in Jan-Dec 2009 to US$ 1211 million in Jan-Dec 2010).

 

Israel–India Bilateral Trade in Diamonds (Gross Numbers) in millions of US$:

 

 

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Israel’s Import from India

947.5

1131.8

975.2

639.2

1132

Israel’s Export  to India

792.2

888.6

983.4

612.4

1211

Total bilateral trade in diamonds

1739.7

2020.4

1958.6

1251.6

2343

 

 

(2) Agriculture:

 

     Agriculture is one of the major areas in which there is a substantive cooperation between the two countries. In fact, high-level exchanges took place in the field of Agriculture, including a visit to India by a high level delegation led by Mr. Shalom Simhon, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, in January 2008, and visits by high level Indian delegations led by Dr. P.K. Mishra, Secretary (Agriculture and Cooperation) in April 2008 and Shri T. Nanda Kumar, Secretary (Agriculture & Cooperation) in January 2010. Action Plan for Bilateral Agriculture Cooperation for 2008-10, was agreed to, during the visit of Dr. P.K. Mishra, Secretary (Agriculture and Cooperation) in April 2008.

 

      In addition some leading Indian corporate groups and cooperatives including National Cooperative Union of India, Mahindra & Mahindra, IFFCO Kisan SEZ, Yes Bank, Amul Dairy and Sumul Dairy also visited Israel for tie ups with Israeli companies in the field of agriculture, horticulture, irrigation and dairying.

 

     A comprehensive Work Plan for cooperation in the field of agriculture was signed on 10th May 2006. The Work Plan outlines the priorities for joint collaborations in agriculture research, energy efficient greenhouses, irrigation, post harvest management and value addition for fruits, vegetables and dairy products, input delivery mechanisms, dairy development through genetic upgradation, recycling of wastewater, exchange of genetic material, higher education for scholars and research students and training for scientist, technicians, government officials under the MASHAV (The Center for International Cooperation of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs) / CINADCO (The Centre for International Agricultural Development Cooperation of Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) training programmes. The Work Plan which was to be in force till 1.6.2008 was followed by an Action Plan 2008-2010. Under the Action Plan Projects are being undertaken with the help of experts from CINADCO in the State of Haryana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

 

     A large Indian delegation comprising Mr. Sharad Pawar, Union Minister of Agriculture, three Ministers of Agriculture from various States, four Chief Ministers, and hundreds of farmers and business people participated in the 16th International Agricultural Exhibition-Agritech 2006, the largest agricultural exhibition in Israel, in May 2006.

 

       The 17th International Agricultural Exhibition (Agritech 2009) took place in the Tel-Aviv Exhibition Grounds on May 5-7, 2009. Thousands of foreign visitors including over 600 from India attended the exhibition. Several delegations arrived from India for Agritech 2009 including a 11-member official delegation from the Indian Ministry of Agriculture, a 15-member FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) delegation and a 17-member IMC (Indian Merchants Chamber) delegation.

 

            In November 2009 Chief Ministers of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh led high level delegations to visit WATEC Israel 2009 Exhibition which showcased Israel’s expertise in water technologies. In addition, delegations from CII, Indian Merchant Chambers of Commerce and many businessmen also visited the exhibition.

 

     One of the most important bilateral corporations / acquisitions in the agricultural sector between Israel and India includes the acquisition of 50% of Israel’s Naandan Irrigation Systems C.S. Ltd by India’s Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd.

 

     Other Israeli companies which have been highly active in India in the agricultural sector include the following: Netafim, Plasson, Plastro Gvat, Agrexco, Hazera Genetics, Hakohav Valves Industries, Zeraim, Tahal Consulting Engineers and IDE Technologies, Hofit Kibbutz Kinneret, Avshalom Group, and Bermad.

 

      In addition, it is also important to note the Joint Venture between Rajasthan State Agricultural Marketing Board and two Israeli companies for cultivation of Olive Plants (2006). This project is already taking shape near Jaipur.

 

         In addition, on August 1-6, 2010, Mr. Sukhbir Kataria, Minister of State for Agriculture, Government of Haryana, visited Israel on an exposure visit on the cultivation technology and post harvest management of citrus, olives and mango under the Indo-Israel Project of National Horticulture Mission.

 

     It was reported recently that several Indo-Israeli Centers of Excellence will be established in the States of Maharashtra (as a part of Indo-Israeli cooperation to enhance quality and yield of Alphonso Mango, Keshar Mango, Pomegranate and Orange) and Haryana.

 

    In fact, in the end of January 2011, a new Indo-Israeli Centre for Vegetable Excellence was inaugurated in Gharaunda in the State of Haryana. Some 3,000 farmers from Haryana attended the ceremony, along with Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Israel's Ambassador to India Mark Sofer.

 

    More recently, a high level 12-member delegation led by Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, visited Israel from April 10-15, 2011 to have a firsthand knowledge of Israel’s expertise in agriculture and water management and to explore ways to increase the ongoing cooperation between the State of Haryana and Israel in the field of agriculture.  

 

(3) Pharmaceuticals:

  

   Some of the biggest Israeli pharmaceutical companies have been highly active in India for some years now including Teva, which is the largest pharmaceutical company in Israel and among the largest Generic Pharmaceutical companies in the world. Teva invested millions of dollars in its R&D facility in Noida, and opened offices in few locations in the country.

 

    Another Israeli pharmaceutical company which has been involved with India is Taro pharmaceuticals. In fact, India’s Sun Pharma acquired a controlling stake in Taro in September 2010 after completing an option agreement first entered into in 2007 with the controlling shareholders of Taro. Sun's subsidiaries have subsequently increased their economic interest in Taro to 66%.    

 

     In addition, major collaborations /acquisitions in the pharmaceutical industry in the recent years include the following:

 

The Indian pharmaceutical company, Himalaya, in collaboration with a local partner, Hollander Nussbaum Limited has launched on November 2007, a range of its personal health care products in Israel. Agreement of Cooperation between India’s Century Pharmaceuticals and Israel’s biotech company Target-In. In March 2009, the Israeli Pharmaceutical company Orokia participated in MP Exportech Buyer – Seller meet and Exhibition in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Collaboration between 1Optima Ltd and India’s Care Group subsidiary, Intraocular Care Private Limited.

 

(4) Real Estate: 

 

     Many Israeli Real Estate companies have invested in India and / or collaborated with Indian companies. Israeli Real Estate companies which have been active in India in recent years include the following: Big Shopping Centers, Engelinvest Group, Gindi Holdings, Elbit Imaging, Alony-Hetz, Delek Group, Direct Real Estate, Plaza centers, Electra Real Estate, Azorim, Levinstein, Jerusalem Economic Corporation (JEC), Gazit Globe, Property and Building Corporation Ltd (PBC), Shikun & Binui, and Dan Hotels.

 

(5) Information Technology:

      Israeli companies have been global leaders in developing and implementing IT software solutions, systems and packages. The Israeli IT sector contains both dozens of well established enterprises (such as: Checkpoint, Amdocs and Ness Technologies) and hundreds of startups. Israel has more than 10,000 computer scientists working for nearly 400 software houses and hundreds more start-ups.

 

     Some major Israeli IT companies have been highly active in India for some years now. Some of these companies established R&D centers in India and / or have subsidiary in the country including the following: Amdocs, Magic Software Enterprises,  Ness Technologies, Check Point Software Technologies, Aladdin, Celltick Software Technologies, Fundtech, Cellocator, Atrica, Niloosoft and more.

 

     A 13-meber delegation composed leading Israeli IT companies, visited India from June 29, 2009 until July 3, 2009 in order to further explore the potential of collaboration between Israeli and Indian IT companies. The delegation was organized by Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute under the “Shavit” programme.

 

(6) Telecommunications:

      India is the world’s fastest growing telecom market. In fact, according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, total telephone subscriber base reached 846.32 million (as of March 31st 2011). Israeli telecom companies acknowledge the huge opportunity that the Indian telecom market has to offer, therefore, many of them are already active in India.

 

     Israeli Telecom companies which are highly active in India include the following: Rad Data Communications, ECI Telecom, Celletra, Ceragon Networks, Veraz Networks, Alvarion, AudioCodes, Orckit, Gilat Satellite Networks, BATM, Towervision, and more.

 

      A 19-member delegation composed leading Israeli Telecom companies visited India from September 7-11, 2009, in order to explore possible corporation between Israeli and Indian Telecom companies. The delegation was organized by the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute under the “Shavit” programme.

 

      In June 2010, several high level delegations from India visited Israel to attend the Israeli High-Tech Industry Association (HTIA) annual event in Jerusalem. This included a 3-member official delegation from the Department of Information Technology, Government of India, a 35-member delegation of  senior representatives of top Indian IT & Telecom companies, and a 15-member delegation of senior businessmen / investors from the Indian Angel Network. Three collaboration agreements were signed during the HTIA event between the Israeli High-tech Industry Association and three leading Indian High-tech Associations (namely the Indian Telecom Manufacturers Association, the Indian Chip Industry Association and the Indian Global Entrepreneurs Association).    

 

          Recently there were some notable M&A deals between Indian Telecom companies and Israeli companies. India’s Tejas Networks Ltd acquired the Israeli carrier Ethernet solutions start-up Ethos Networks Ltd (now called Tejas Networks Israel) for an estimated US$ 25 million. In addition, India’s Connectiva Systems Ltd acquired Israeli start-up Olista Ltd for an estimated US$ 20 million. Olista will become Connectiva’s Israel R&D center and will double its workforce. Olista developed customer analysis software for mobile operators.     

 

(7) Chemicals and Agro - Chemicals:   

 

       The Israeli Chemical companies which have been highly active in India in recent years include the following: Makhteshim Agan, Israel Chemicals, and ICL Fertilizer Ltd.

 

      A 5-member delegation composed of leading Israeli Chemicals companies visited India from October 20-22, 2008 in order to attend IndiaChem exhibition and the Reverse Buyer Seller Meet organized by CHEMEXCIL in Mumbai. The visit was sponsored by CHEMEXCIL. In December 2009 another 3-member delegation of Israeli chemical companies was sponsored by CHEMEXCIL to attend Indiachem Gujarat 2009 in Ahmedabad.

 

(8)  Semiconductors:

     The Israeli Semiconductor company Tower Semiconductors have been highly active in India in the recent years. Tower Semiconductors has collaborations with both SamIndia and HCL. Another Israeli Semiconductor company which is active in India is Emblaze Semiconductor.

 

(9) Indian companies with presence in Israel:

 

While several Israeli companies have established presence in India, recently Indian companies have also started looking seriously at Israel. Indian companies which already established presence in Israel includes the following:

 

·        Tata Consultancy Services (TCS Israel, 2005)

·        Jain Irrigation (Naandan Jain Irrigation)

·        State Bank of India (SBI, Ramat Gan Branch, 2007)

·        Tejas Networks (Tejas Israel, 2009)

 

 

 

Back to top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade & Commerce

Indian Economy

Bilateral Trade Relations

Upcoming Events

Resource Centre

Tenders

Indian Community in Israel

India Tourism

Events and Speeches

Publications

Feedback

Sitemap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Website designed and managed by Information Wing, Embassy of India.

External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.