“The US is obliged to treat us objectively, and so, since the whole process has been on a professional basis, and we are right at the end of it, it will be very hard for countries to come along and say that for this or that reason we are not suitable, or that this is not the time,” Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Danny Ayalon said at the “Globes” Israel Business Conference session on Israel’s accession o the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD).

”I also believe we will receive backing from various countries in Europe. I certainly don’t fear any negative attempts by Turkey, because our relations with them are good, contrary to reports here and there. I see our accession as a harbinger of spring, and believe that it will have an effect on other political organizations,” Ayalon said.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said, “In May 2010, if all goes to plan, Israel should be accepted as a full member of the OECD, which brings together the 30 most developed countries in the world.”

The session was chaired by Dr. Eti Luzzatto of law firm Luzzatto & Luzzatto, who introduced the guest of honor, Nicola Bonucci, Director for Legal Affairs at the OECD, who is in charge of the process of Israel’s accession.

Manufacturers Association president Shraga Brosh commented on how far joining the OECD would benefit Israeli companies. “On interest rates, there is no doubt that joining will affect the cost of capital to the government, and thereby also affect the cost of capital to the private sector. So we will undoubtedly go up a class. We are receiving an opportunity to adapt ourselves to the environment in which we operate. The fact that we are all together --- the government and the business sector --- in this move will enable us to boost our trade, on which the growth of the State of Israeli is based.”

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 14, 2009

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2009