The existence of trade relations between Israel and Portugal, as well as the need to provide ever improving services, has led the Chamber of Commerce Israel - Portugal to expand its range of activities and provide a meeting point for Israeli & Portuguese companies from various fields. The aim of the Chamber of Commerce is to facilitate the development of economic and business ties between the two countries.
One of our Chamber's main tasks is to increase the awareness in Israel of the business potential offered by Portugal and its traditional links with Latin America, Africa and Asia. We assist leading Israeli businessmen in opening doors to the Portuguese market, by providing information and guidance, organizing delegations and preparing seminars and conferences.
At the same time, we encourage and cooperate with Portuguese trade, industry and tourism sectors to enter the Israeli market, using the potential of products in which they excel, such as textiles, timber, ceramics, marble, wine and food. The number of leading companies, from business and industrial sectors, as well as private entrepreneurs joining our organization is steadily growing.
This trend is a reflection of the potential embedded in the Portuguese economy for Israeli companies and vice versa. Our own web site: http://www.israel-portugal.co.il/ allows users to get updated information on fairs & exhibitions, news updates, as well as business summaries and reports on trade between the two countries.
The Chamber of Commerce is in constant contact both with the Commercial Section of the Israeli Embassy in Portugal, the main sources of information posted on the site. The Chamber of Commerce is in constant touch with the Economic Affairs Dept of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Israeli Trade & Industry and the Israeli Export Institute.
The end of direct flights between Israel and Portugal has harmed the commerce between the two countries. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chamber of Commerce are constantly trying to persuade the airline companies to renew these flights, with little success so far.
The Chamber of Commerce has been assisting the Israeli Embassy in Portugal for the past few years in organizing "Israeli Gourmet Evenings", where Israeli chefs - both Jews and Arabs, cook together. The reunion of the Embassy guests, parliament members and prominent businessmen contributes greatly to the general ambiance and to Israel's image abroad.
In meetings held by the Chamber of Commerce management in Ponte Delgada in the Azores Islands with the local Chamber of Commerce, representatives of the Ministry of Tourism and the University, we were very pleased to encounter a most positive approach to the tightening of ties with Israel.
The Chamber of Commerce intends to intensify its relations with the Azores Islands in the above mentioned fields and check the possibilities of establishing contact with the leaders of the financial world in Madeira as well.
In 2002, Mr. Michael Itzhar, President of the Chamber of Commerce Israel-Portugal, was awarded by the President of the Portuguese Republic the title of "Officer of the Order of Commercial Merit" for his outstanding contribution to the development of economic and cultural ties between the two countries.
Services provided by the Chamber of Commerce:
Information regarding Exhibitions and Fairs in Portugal.
Spotting Business opportunities in Portugal.
Requests by Portuguese companies to contact Israeli counterparts are forwarded to the relevant companies.
Information regarding products and organizations in Portugal, including profiles and addresses.
Assistance in locating strategic partners/distributors in Portugal or further development of existing contacts.
Assistance to potential Israeli investors who are interested in checking real-estate opportunities offered by Portugal.
Information and consultation regarding laws, contracts and taxes.
Special hotel rates for Israeli businessmen traveling to Portugal.
Assisting in the organization of events and dinners held with leading Portuguese personalities, as well as meetings and seminars on economic issues where politicians and businessmen both from Israel and Portugal take part.
We believe that by expanding the range of our activities, we will be able to contribute to the increase in trade and cooperation between the two countries
Members of the Board
President
Michael Itzhar Belachovsky Businessman; President & CEO of Mipha, a consulting company active in the fields of hi-tech, intelligence, surveillance & counter surveillance, investments and security. Member of the Executive Committee, Vice Chairman, Board of Governors, University of Haifa.
Mipha International Ltd. 8 Har Nevo St. Ramat Hasharon 47225 Tel: 03-5402403 Fax: 03-5490931 e-mail:
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Vice Presidents
David Katz Businessman; Representative of Portuguese companies in Israel and vice-versa
P.O. Box 355 Givatayim 53102 Tel: 03-7313963 Fax: 03-7326582 Mobile: 052-2522781 Email:
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Adv. David Kretzmer Specializes in international trading and investments
Twin Towers, 35 Jabotinsky Ramat Gan 52511 Tel: 03-6136902 Fax: 03-6136905 Email:
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Adv. Liora Katz Foreign Relations - Chamber of Commerce Representative in Canada
8 Har Nevo St. Ramat Hasharon 47225 Tel: 03-5402403 Fax: 03-5490931 Email:
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Executive Members of the Board of Directors
Miron Jacobson Dr. Architect Senior Board Member
Petelson, Shila, Jacobson 12 Kehilat Venezia St. Tel Aviv 69400 Tel: 03-6499515 Fax: 03-6499619 Email:
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Adv. Michael Avner VP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary - Strauss-Elite Group
8 Jabotinsky St. Ramat Gan 52136 Tel: 03-6752266 Fax: 03-6752279 Email:
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Felix Kipper Director - Israel Federation of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce & Industry
85-8 Derech Namir Tel Aviv 63301 Tel: 03-6047496 Fax: 03-5449954 Mobile: 052-2506038 Email:
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Yarona Marnin Aerospace Engineer
5 Yaacov Meridor St. Tel Aviv 69411 Tel: 03-6445774 Mobile: 054-6422017 Email:
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Susan Gavijon
8 Har Nevo St. Ramat Hasharon 47225 Tel: 03-5402403 Fax: 03-5490931 Email:
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Auditing Committee
Adv. Loni Goldstein
8, Har Nevo St. Ramat Hasharon 47225 Tel: 03-5402403 Fax: 03-5490931 e-mail:
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Shirley A. Manzur
8 Har Nevo St. Ramat Hasharon 47225 Tel: 03-5402403 Fax: 03-5490931 Email:
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