Foreign investment in Israel at record levels

Foreign investment in Israel has reached a new peak. Foreign investment totaled $7.31 billion in January-August 2005, more than the $7.22 billion invested in 2004 as a whole. Foreign investment so far this year amounts to an annualized $11 billion, an all-time high. Foreign investment in Israel has totaled $20.5 billion since January 2003.

Foreign direct investment was $4.2 billion in January-August, 2.5 times the $1.66 billion invested in 2004 as a whole. Foreign investment in the marketable securities portfolio totaled $3.11 billion in January-August, 56% the investment in securities in 2004 as a whole. Foreign investment in securities traded in Israel totaled $2.61 billion in January-August, five time the $526 million invested in 2004 as a whole. Foreign investment in Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) listed stocks totaled $2.02 billion in January-August, 4.2 times the $483 million invested in 2004 as a whole. Foreign investment in bonds totaled $591 million in January-August, compared with $43 million in 2004 and $79 million in 2003.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on September 26, 2005