An Israeli delegation completed yesterday tariff negotiations with 11 countries and with the European Economic Community which will either reduce or hold steady the present level of customs duties on Israeli exports to those countries.
The negotiations, conducted within the framework of the General Agreement on Tariff and Trades (GATT), lasted for six months. The 11 countries are Austria, the United States, Denmark, Britain, Japan, Norway, Finland, Portugal, Canada, Sweden and Turkey.
Products exported in 1959 valued at more than $20, 000, 000 will benefit from lower duties. Customs duties on more than $70, 000, 000 worth of Israeli exports to those countries in 1959 will not be increased. More than two-thirds of all Israeli exports were to the countries with which the new agreements were negotiated and more than half of all Israeli exports are covered by the agreements.
Thr principal export products affected include citrus fruits, citrus juices, bromides, phosphates, ground nuts, diamonds and textiles. Israel in turn agreed to specific commitments on customs duties covering essential imports such as raw materials, some kinds of textile machinery and agricultural equipment.
The agreements cleared the way for Israel’s acceptance as a full member of GATT. The delegation was headed by Israel Gal-Edd, Israel’s deputy director of revenues.
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