Tag Archive for Buisness

Israel to Grant Special Visas to American Investors & Vice Versa

 

As a part of an experimental program with the U.S. State Dept, Israeli businessmen will also be granted benefits, including investor visas allowing them to stay in the U.S. for up to 2 years.

By Omer Efraim

 

The government has approved Sunday a proposal by Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar to set unique entry visas to American investors who seek to visit Israel frequently for business. The arrangement is a part of an experimental program in which Israelis seeking to invest in the US and wish to stay there temporarily in order to develop and manage their business, will be given similar special conditions. Continue Reading »

Israel’s largest healthcare firm bought by Chinese

Chinese group buying Naftali Healthcare Solutions expected to be worth $100 million.

By  

 

Guangzhou-based Jinpeng Group, a Chinese conglomerate focusing on information technology and services industries, will reportedly acquire Natali Healthcare Solutions, Israel’s largest private healthcare and homecare service provider.

Elderly patients at Haifa’s Rambam Hospital.

Patients at Haifa’s Rambam Hospital. – Photo:Hagai Fried

The deal, worth about $100 million, is expected to be finalized soon, China Daily news reported Tuesday.

Naftali Healthcare Solutions was established in 1991, and holds a 60 percent stake in Israel’s elderly care market. It provides services such as doctor’s house calls, first aid telephone services and retirement solutions.

According to China Daily daily, the number of Chinese aged over 60 is expected to increase by 30 percent by the year 2050.

Continue Reading »

For 1st time, IDF published data of pensions being paid

Revealing retirement benefits data for 1st time, IDF is paying out 6.8 billion shekels in 2014 to some 35,000 retirees, with ex-combat soldier, 82, leading pension payments at 63,000 shekels per month.

 

 

In response to a request from Haaretz, the Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson’s Office has published a list revealing the highest pensions being paid to former army personnel. Topping the list is an 82-year-old former combat soldier who receives some 63,000 shekels per month.

IDF Chief of Staff Gantz.

IDF Chief of Staff Gantz oversees a military drill. – Photo by IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

The army is expected to pay some 6.8 billion shekels to about 35,000 retirees (the army censor does not allow publication of the exact number) in 2014.

Continue Reading »

Israel contracts journalist to film Pope’s visit to Israel for tourism promotion

The Portuguese born reporter says he’ll film the documentary to foster good relations between the Pope, the Jewish people & Israel.

 

 

The Tourism Ministry is paying 215,000 shekels ($61,800) to a Portugal-born, Israel-based journalist for 14 filmed news reports on Pope Francis’ visit to Israel in May. The ministry plans to use the footage to promote tourism to the country.

Pope Francis and President Shimon Peres exchange greetings during a private meeting at the Vatican.

Pope Francis and President Shimon Peres exchange greetings during a private meeting at the Vatican, April 30, 2013.- Photo: Reuters

The reports by journalist Henrique Cymerman will be broadcast on Catholic-oriented television stations and websites around the world.

Continue Reading »

Dutch firm says boycotting Israel wasn’t factor in port tender exit


TheMarker may have erroneously reported that at least 2 foreign companies dropped out of a tender for port construction, due to anti-Israel boycotts.

By TheMarker

 

 

A report in TheMarker on Monday stating that at least two foreign companies dropped out of the Israeli government tender to develop private seaports due to anti-Israel boycotts has been disputed by two of the companies involved.

Ashdod port.

Ashdod port. – Photo by Ilya Melnikov

Spokesmen for Royal Boskalis Westminster, a Dutch company that did not submit a bid as expected, and the Israel Ports Company, the state-owned company conducting the tender, both denied in separate statements that Bosalis had dropped out of the tender at all.

Continue Reading »

Israel boycott fears facilitated 2 foreign bidders to withdraw ports tender

 

2 local joint concerns and a Chinese company remain in contention to build the private port facilities in Ashdod & Haifa.

By Avi Bar-Eli

 

 

The deterioration of Israel’s international standing has been evident this week as at least two leading international companies bidding to build private seaports here dropped out of the government’s tender due to concerns over the political repercussions.

Haifa port.

The Haifa port. – Photo: Albatross Aerial Photography

Royal Boskalis Westminster, a Dutch operator of ports that had submitted a proposal under the name Holland Terminal in the prequalification stage last December, dropped out shortly thereafter. More recently, Italy’s Condote de Agua withdrew after passing the prequalification process.

Continue Reading »

Google scoops up its 5th Israeli company

 

Google acquires its 5th Israeli company, SlickLogin, a 3-person company that developed tools to verify user ID through audio signals sent via a smartphone app.

By Ilan Gattegno

 

Continue Reading »

WSJ reports: Israeli-US Internet shopping site files for IPO

Unnamed source reports Israeli-American e-commerce concern Borderfree, turns to Wall Street to seek $100 million in offering.

 

Borderfree, an American-Israeli company that is provides American retailers with a platform to reach customers overseas, has confidentially filed for an initial public offering, the Wall Street Journal reported in a blog over the weekend, citing a source it did not identify.

Israeli internet shopping  (illustrative) – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

The company, which was previously known as FiftyOne Global Ecommerce, is headquartered in New York, but has an office in Tel Aviv. Its clients include a number of major American retail chains, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Pottery Barn, Sears, Sephora and Neiman Marcus.

Continue Reading »

Coca-Cola Israel investigated on anti-trust charges

 

Coca-Cola charged with cross-promoting their Tara Dairy products by making attractive soft-drink discounts, subject to purchasing Tara products.

 

The Antitrust Commission is investigating allegations that the Central Bottling Company (Coca-Cola Israel) exploited its dominance in the beverage market by forcing require retailers who bought its drinks to also buy products from its Tara Dairy division.
Israel's Coca-Cola products - Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

Israel’s Coca-Cola products – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

The local bottler of Coca-Cola products, which is controlled by Muzi Wertheim, recently spent around 1 billion shekels ($284 million) to boost Tara’s market share.

The Central Bottling Company told TheMarker that it was not aware of any antitrust investigation being conducted against it but welcomed any inquiries from the Antitrust Commission, adding that the company maintains regular contact with the agency.

Continue Reading »

Int’l Real Estate Report: Israel is 3rd-largest foreign investor in U.S. properties

Israelis accounted for 6% of American commercial property sales to foreigners in past 3 consecutive years.

By Reuters

 

Israeli investors are increasingly looking to invest in U.S. properties as they seek to diversify their portfolios and as local real estate has grown pricey.

The  Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel in 2008.

The Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel in 2008. – Photo: Bloomberg

A report by real estate services firm Colliers International with data through mid-2013 ranked Israel as the third-largest foreign investor in U.S. commercial real estate over the past three years with a 6% share, tied with Switzerland and behind Canada and Germany.

In the U.S. Continue Reading »

Israel business news: Teva stock jumps after U.S. Federal Court’s vindication

 

U.S. Federal judge acquits the Israeli pharmaceutical concern, Teva of infringing on 5 patents of the painkiller, OxyContin.

Teva shares shot up 6.7% in one day gain.

By Reuters

 

 

A federal judge said Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd did not infringe five patents related to the painkiller OxyContin, helping push shares of the world’s largest generic drug manufacturer up 6.7 percent on Tuesday.

Teva

Teva’s factory in Hungary. – Photo: Bloomberg

Earlier in the day, Teva executives said at a JPMorgan healthcare conference that they were confident a new version of its multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone that requires less frequent dosing will soon win regulatory approval for use in the United States. Continue Reading »

Israel’s Given Imaging bought by Covidien for $860 million

The combination of Covidien’s global presence and Given Imaging’s innovative capabilities has the potential to transform a $3 billion GI market.

By Reuters

 

 

Medical device maker Covidien is buying Israeli camera-in-a-capsule maker Given Imaging for $30.00 per share in cash, totaling $860 million, the companies said on Sunday.

The nex generation of Given Imaging’s PillCam capsules  are expected to boost sales.

The next generation of Given Imaging’s PillCam capsules are expected to boost sales.

Given Imaging developed a pioneering technique for non-invasive endoscopy. Its technology for visualising, diagnosing and monitoring the digestive system starts with the PillCam, a capsule containing a miniaturized video camera. Over the years Given Imaging, which operates out of Yokneam, developed a number of versions for the technology, including one for esophageal diagnostics. Continue Reading »

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Israel in 3 weeks

 

Continue Reading »

Histadrut labor federation chief resigns

 

New leader to sit on top of Israel’s organized labor federation as Histadrut chief announces resignation following major policy successes &  diminishing personal political strength with leading Israeli party heads.

 

 

 

The Histadrut labor federation’s chairman announced on Tuesday he will leave the position he has filled since 2006 next year on February 1.

Ofer Eini

Ofer Eini. – Photo: Moti Milrod

Ofer Eini will step down in the middle of his third term, which be began in May 2012. He made his announcement to the heads of the various factions of the political coalition that runs the Histadrut. Continue Reading »

iOS 7’s newest look is Israeli

Startup Any.do is the Israeli app that inspired Apple chief of design Jony Ive with its popular task-management app, the Verge reported online.

 

 

The new look of the iOS 7, Apple’s newest mobile operating system, is being hotly debated all over the Internet and is attracting plenty of criticism, including claims that it overly resembles the Android operating system and that some of its special effects make users nauseated. But there is no doubt that the operating system’s new configuration constitutes a revolution in Apple’s traditional approach to design.

Screenshots of the iOS7.


Screenshots of the iOS7. – Photo: Reuters

Earlier this week, The Verge, an online tech magazine, revealed that the Israeli firm Any.do Continue Reading »