1. BREAKFAST BRIEFING FOR AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS AGRITECH 2012 Orna Berry, PhD, Chairperson Monday 27 th February, 2012

2. 2 Facts & Figures Government Parliamentary Democracy Established 14 May, 1948 Head of State Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu GDP (2011) GDP per capita (2011) USD 243 billion (est.) USD 31.2 thousand (est.) Economy Advanced industrialized Export-led market economy Thriving entrepreneurial high-tech sector Credit Rating Area: 21,500 sq km Population: 7,590,758 (July 2012 est.) Moody’s:A1 (stable)S&P:A+ (stable)Fitch:A (stable ) Knesset

3. 3  4.8% GDP growth in 2010 and 2011 4.368% average GDP growth from 2004 to 2011  Debt-to-GDP reduced from 80% in 2009 to 74% in 2011 Debt-to GDP has annually fallen 3.5% on average since 2002  Foreign Exchange reserves totally $74.9bn at the end of 2011 25% of GDP in 2006-2010 Y/E Average  Unemployment has fallen to 5.3% - 25 year low  ~50% of Industrial Export came from high-tech sector  1 st in both total expenditure of R&D as percentage of GDP (4.3%) and quality of scientific research institutions Economic Highlights

4. Leading the national effort of bolstering the Negev by transferring IDF bases, utililizing elite units, and assigning quality manpower to the Negev. The IDF Ascends to the Negev: A Vision

5. Source: Central Bureau of Statistics. Data from 2008. Israel – Current Status The State of Israel Population Density by Region The majority of Israel’s population is located in the centre of the country. This is also the case in terms of Israel’s economic activity. There are wide economic gaps between the centre and the periphery. This consolidation is an obstacle to sustainable growth. 1.2 Million Residents 16% of the Population 3 Million Residents 40% of the Population 1 Million Residents 14% of the Population Legend

6. Israel – Current Status Source: Central Bureau of Statistics. Data from 2008. The majority of Israel’s population is located in the centre of the country. This is also the case in terms of Israel’s economic activity. There are wide economic gaps between the centre and the periphery. This consolidation is an obstacle to sustainable growth. 12% of Factories and 17% of Israeli Jobs. 57% of Factories and 50% of Israeli Jobs 9% of Factories and 13% of Israeli Jobs

7. Israel – Objective in 2030 Legend A more uniform distribution of Israel’s population and economic activity – 45% of residents and jobs are concentrated in the Negev and in the Galilee. Per capita income would be at least that of central Israel. 2.4 Million Residents Constitute 25% of the Population 2 Million Residents Constitute 20% of the Population

8. Cycle of Output and Outcomes The IDF Ascends to the Negev Upgrading National Infrastructures In the Negev Moving High quality Population To the Negev Shift of Security Purchases and Projects To the Negev Continuous Settlement Area Alongside southern Har-Hevron Expanding The scope of Economic activity Handling Of the Environment Infrastructures Reinforcing Education & Health systems In the Negev Privatization Of services Employment growth Capital Investment In the Negev During Construction period

9. BE’ER-SHEBA COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES @ CERMEONY HONOURING THE ANZAC LIGHTHORSEMEN CHARGE

10. Dr Orna Berry, Chairperson pauli@iacc.org.il +972-3-510-6464 THANK-YOU