Israel will this year import about $200,000,000 worth of goods, it was reported here today. Officials of the Israeli Foreign Ministry emphasized that there will be no discrimination on political grounds among countries with which the Jewish state will maintain commercial relations.
Commercial advisors will he attached to all Israeli legations and consulates and special economic missions will soon proceed from Israel to those countries which have not as yet recognized the Jewish state. A number of governments have notified the Israeli Foreign Ministry that they are ready to station commercial attaches in Israel for the purpose of arranging trade relations.
Most of the Eastern European countries are interested in the conclusion of barter agreements with Israel. They offer mainly foodstuffs end raw materials, and in some instances fuel. Czechoslovakia is offering Israel machinery, textiles and crockery in exchange for Israeli woolen fabrics, artificial teeth and chemicals. All of these countries, excepting Czechoslovakia, consider citrus products a non-essential luxury. Trade relations with Poland are expected to be brisk in the next few years although negotiations concerning the transfer of Jewish property in Poland to Israel in the form of imports are not progressing satisfactorily. The Polish Government prefers payment in foreign currency for communities which it is ready to sell to Israel, especially foodstuffs and those raw materials which are scarce in the world market.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
