Exports by Israel's 100 biggest exporters rose 3.7% to $7.13 billion in the second quarter of 2011 from $6.88 billion in the preceding quarter, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor announced today.

All four manufacturing sectors drove export growth in the second quarter: high-tech exports rose 1.8% over the preceding quarters; mixed-high tech exports rose 1%; mixed-low technology exports rose 12.%, and low technology exports rose 8.1%.

Exports by small companies (fewer than 500 employees) fell by 4.7%, exports by mid-sized companies (501-1,000 employees) rose by 5.6%, and exports by large companies rose by 6.3%.

China was Israel's fastest growing export market, with $422 million, followed by Brazil, at $179 million. Vietnam closed the list with $22 million.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Shalom Simhon, "Israeli exports continue to grow, despite the difficulties in recent years, which demonstrates the soundness of the infrastructures on which Israeli exports have been based in recent decades that boosted business activity in export markets, especially in Asia."

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 28, 2011

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2011