Israel Accepted as an Observer State of the Pacific Alliance
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Israel has been accepted as an observer state of the Pacific Alliance
http://alianzapacifico.net/en/)
Israel's accession was made possible as a result of efforts led by Prime =

Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the leaders of its member states. It is th=
e =

continuation of Prime Minister Netanyahu's policy of developing new markets =

for the Israeli economy. In the coming months, the Prime Minister is due to =

visit Colombia and Mexico in order to promote cooperation with the Pacific =

Alliance.

The combined GNP of the Pacific Alliance member states amounts to over $2 =

trillion and constitutes 36% of the GNP of Latin America. It is the eighth =

largest economy in the world, accounts for 50% of Latin America's trade and =

26% of its foreign investments (over $70 billion). Israel currently exports =

$864 million worth of goods to the Pacific Alliance countries per annum, =

approximately 1% of Israel's total exports. (For comparison, exports to =

India, the economy of which is smaller than that of the Pacific alliance =

countries, constituted approximately 3.4% of exports in 2013).

The decision to accept Israel as an observer state was made last night at a =

Pacific Alliance summit in Cartagena, Colombia with the participation of th=
e =

member state presidents. Israel thus joins the US and Canada =96 among =

others =96 as an observer state. As an observer state, Israel will be invit=
ed =

to take part in the staff work of the Pacific alliance and attend its =

conferences, which will facilitate the advancement of cooperation with its =

member states.

Prior to the decision, Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with Colombian =

President Juan Manuel Santos and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, who =

confirmed their support for Israel's accession. Prime Minister Netanyahu me=
t =

last month in Davos with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, who acceded =

to the former's request that Israel be accepted as an observer state.

The Government's effort to enhance economic ties is being led by Prime =

Minister's Office Director General Harel Locker and his deputy, Yossi =

Catribas, in conjunction with the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economy, =

Tourism, Agriculture and Rural Development, Science and Finance.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said, "I thank the leaders of the Pacific Alliance =

member states for accepting Israel as an observer to the important =

organization that they head. This is an additional step in ensuring the =

continued growth of the Israeli economy. We are diversifying the State of =

Israel's international markets."

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