The Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs has decided to discontinue an annual subsidy of 45,000 guilders (about $18,000) to the Central Dutch-Israel Chambers of Commerce located in The Hague and Tel Aviv. These funds are usually used for the promotion of Dutch-Israeli trade. A spokesman for the economic affairs ministry said the decision was taken for “economizing reasons.” It will go into effect as of Nov. 1.
The decision will mean the end of both Dutch market research in Israel and publicity for Israeli products in The Netherlands. Trade between the two countries now amounts to nearly 200 million guilders (about $80 million) yearly. The Netherlands imports from Israel mainly citrus fruits, textiles, diamonds, chemicals, bromides and spare parts for computers and automobiles. Dutch exports to Israel include agricultural products, food products, naval construction and electronic equipment.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
