WASHINGTON (JTA) — The United States and Israel signed a trade agreement designed to make it easier for American companies to export telecommunication products to Israel.
As a result of the 33-page pact signed Monday, Israeli regulatory authorities will accept test results on American telecommunications products that are recognized in U.S. laboratories. Additional testing had been required by labs in Israel before the products could be sold there.
“This agreement will save American manufacturers money and time," Miriam Sapiro, deputy U.S. trade representative, said of the agreement. "It will facilitate trade by allowing for product testing and certification only once, in the United States, prior to exporting the product to Israel.”
The pact also enables the two countries to agree in the future to accept equipment certifications from recognized conformity assessment bodies in the two countries, according to a statement from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Last year, trade between the two countries totaled more than $31 billion, according to the office.
The agreement covers wire and wireless equipment, as well as terrestrial and satellite equipment.
