Azerbaijan exports goods worth $4 billion to Israel in 2009

Israeli ambassador to Azerbaijan Michael Lavon-Lotem is at home at present resting after four months of intense work in Baku.

M.Lavon-Lotem summarized the past year and outlined the future plans.

“I flew to Israel a week ago to take part in the Foreign Ministry conference,” Lavon-Lotem said.

“It was very important to hear the leaders of the country and to meet with Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. In the end, we, career diplomats, should know what course is conducted by the state and to work in accordance with it,” he said.

After the conference, Lavon-Lotem stayed in Israel for a short vacation. He has something to be proud of. Despite the crisis, last year was more than beneficial for bilateral relations. Last year saw a number of deals in the field of military-technical cooperation, a major contract by company Shikun y Binuy and rapidly growing trade between the two countries have turned Israel and Azerbaijan to strategic allies.

"This year Israel exported goods worth $250 million o Azerbaijan, a rise of nearly 50 percent from 2008,” the ambassador said.

“Given the oil supply, goods worth  $4 billion were exported to Israel in  a tough year, when the global economy was trying to recover from effects of the crisis! Without a doubt, one can say that we are on the right path, and the global crisis had bypassed us."

Lavon-Lotem expects Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman to visit Azerbaijan in February.

 "On Feb. 9, the embassy will take steps introduce Azerbaijan to Israeli firms from the sphere of fashion and cosmetics. I hope that the minister will come exactly in those days. It will involve the elite and the ruling circles, and will give great impetus to cooperation in these sectors. In addition, I am ready to organize concert of a Israeli conductor and opera singer in April. I want to show not only our technology and development, but also cultural life. "

/Izrus.co.il/