The OEDC (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) will depict Israel as a "developed economy", rather than "an economy in crisis", at its conference in Israel next week, Yaakov Lifshitz, director general of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Small Business Authority told "Globes" today. According to Lifshitz, the conference will discuss the promotion of small and medium-size businesses in crisis-gripped countries, and Israel will be presented as an example of success in overcoming a crisis and turning into a developed economy.
Lifschits said that the OECD had asked the Small Business Authority, which has joined the organization's entrepreneurial development forum, to host the forum's meeting.
The OECD co-opts its own members. On coming to power, Prime Minister Ehud Barak said that he would like Israel to become a member. State bodies have consequently been seeking to promote ties with the OECD towards this end. Israel now has observer status, and is a permanent member of several OECD committees.
According to Israeli sources, the forum's meeting in Israel testifies to the strengthening of relations with the organization, and indicates that the OECD considers Israel a partner in certain areas.
The OECD conference is scheduled to open next Monday.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on 12 April, 2000