The number of industrial workers rose 5.4-fold.
Industrial exports, excluding diamonds, have grown 4,700-fold, from $5 million in 1948 to $23.6 billion in 2004, the Manufacturers Association of Israel announced on the eve of Israel’s Independence Day. The number of industrial workers rose 5.4-fold, from 65,000 to 350,000.
The character of industry and exports has also changed. High-tech exports, which were negligible when Israel declared its independence in 1948, grew 19% last year to $12.9 billion, over half of total exports. The number of enterprises employing more than five workers has grown 3.3-fold, from 2,300 enterprises and workshops in 1948 to 7,650 in 2004.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on May 10, 2005