SomethingIsraeli - Business (Monday)

The Rafael Armament Development Authority has signed a deal with the Dutch government, which will see the Israeli company equip Dutch Air 20 F-16s fighter jets with systems developed by Rafael, and US company Northrop Grumman.

Israeli store in Ramallah

The Israeli apparel chain H&O have opened their newest children store in an unlikely place: The Plaza shopping mall in Ramallah. The store is being operated by a local agent, and the owner of the mall said they are planning to open more stores.

McDonald's Israel to grow

After launching 10 new branches in 2006 McDonalds plans on expanding its business in Israel even more, with 12 new branches planned for 2007 and 12 more in 2008. At least two of these branches will only serve kosher food.

Padani comes to the UK

Israel's Padani jewellery chain is set to open its first store in the UK. Benny Padani owner of the upscale retailer said he expected the branch in Kent to make over £3m in its first year of operation.

Sukkah sales increase

A 20 percent rise has been reported in the 2006 sales of ready-made sukkahs in comparison with last year’s figures. The Manufacturers Association of Israel said that some 25,000 ready-made sukkahs have been sold.

Investing in Israel

The Bank of Israel announced that, despite the war in Lebanon, foreign investment in Israel totalled $480 million during the war. Foreign investment totaled $358 million in August alone.

Ikea increases business

Ikea Israel registered record sales in August with the company's revenues reaching NIS 52 million ($11.5 million) – a 17 percent rise in comparison to sales in August last year.

Barnes & Noble for Israel

American book chain Barnes & Noble may open its first store in Israel . An Israeli businessman is holding talks with the chain to receive the franchise to open the store.

Castro expands

The Castro chain is expanding its brand name and opening concept stores for shoes and accessories under the label CASTRO Shoes & Bags. The first store opened on the shopping street in Jerusalem,

Exporting ice cream

Like selling ice to Eskimos? The Israeli plant of Swiss food giant Nestle will be exporting its "Nok Out" ice cream bars to Switzerland. The popsicles will be marketed in Switzerland under the brand name Heaven.

JLO goes to Israel

The Women Only chain has been awarded exclusive rights to market Jennifer Lopez's JLO brand in Israel. The male and female undergarment brand bearing the name of the popular American actress and singer is considered particularly popular among females aged 12-27.

More PR in Israel

A long-established Israeli PR professional, who has represented Ehud Olmert, Israel Aircraft Industries, and others, has joined a fast-growing US public relations firm to open offices for it in London and Tel Aviv.

Sandisk buys M-Systems

SanDisk, the California-based supplier of flash memory data storage cards, has acquired Israeli company M-Systems a manufacturer of storage solutions. The deal is worth $1.35 billion.

Doing the biz in Israel

In the second quarter of 2006, 109 Israeli hi-tech companies raised USD 404 million from venture investors – both local and foreign, The IVC Research Centre reported.

Women leading kibbutz business

Over the last five years 2,000 small businesses were opened in kibbutzim in Israel with 680 of them opened by women. The most popular new businesses in kibbutzim are art workshops, spas, shops and tourist attractions.

Text appeal

Kontera, an Israeli company that allows website owners to maximise revue opportunities on the content that appears on their site has secured $7m investment to expand its operations.

Boom in economy

Israelis are buying more, manufacturing more and exporting more – according to an analysis of the Israeli economy in the past three months.

Israel for business

Israel is one of the hottest places for venture capitalist nowadays and a global player in innovation, the leading internet technology and financial news magazine in the Silicon Valley, Red Herring, has recently declared.

Israel sponsors business

The Technology Incubators Committee at the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Labour has approved the establishment of four new companies. The ministry will grant these companies NIS 8.2m (UK £1m)

Castro by Speedo

Israeli fashion chain Castro Model is launching a new men’s swimwear line with Speedo International. The new Castro Men by Speedo line is part of the company’s ongoing marketing strategy aimed at expanding its business.

Israeli firm to float

Africa Israel, one of Israel's biggest companies with interests ranging from leisure to technology is to list its European property division AFI Europe on the AIM stock market.

Microsoft buys Whale

Software giant Microsoft has purchased Israeli Whale Communications based in Rosh Haayin, near Tel Aviv in a deal estimated at between $70-80 million. Whale was formed in 1998 as a start-up and specializes in secure remote access.

Nice talking to Ja!

Looking to make calls for free or very cheap rates without the need to wear a cumbersome headset? Well, Jajah which has its R&D in Israel has come up with an answer.

Israel doing well

Israeli technology firms take 16 places in magazine Red Herring's latest 100 Europe list. After the UK and France, Israel has the third largest number of businesses listed in the annual report that has been published for 10 years.

Emblaze grows

Israeli mobile phone technology company Emlaze has more than doubled its sales according to its latest financial results. The first quarter this year has also started off well with revenue just over $100m.

Book store expands

The Tzomet Sfarim bookstore chain has opened its flagship store at the Dizengoff Center mall in the heart of Tel Aviv. The branch, which is the chain's third store at the mall, joins the other 45 branches already operating across the country.

Stars of poker

Israeli owned poker site, PokerStars, is set to float on the London Stock Exchange with a valuation of around $2bn. According to The Sunday Times, the world's second largest online poker company is looking for a floatation later this year.

Israeli's take AIM

London's Alternative Investment Market has proven to be a popular choice for Israeli businesses looking to raise finance. Last year 16 Israeli firms raised money on AIM, which is part of the London Stock Exchange.

Doing the biz

If you have always wanted to do business in Israel but don't have an idea what is the etiquette for doing so, a website has all the basics you need when dealing with Israelis.

Israeli biz acquires Arab portal

Internet Gold, one of Israel's largest digital media companies has acquired a 51% stake in Yahala, a popular internet portal aimed at Israel's 1.5million Arab population.

Polar invests in UK property

Israeli based Polar International Real Estate is upping its UK property portfolio by investing $15m in a new joint venture. The Polar Investments subsidiary has joined forces with two other partners and will own 39% of the company.

Leviev comes to London

Israeli billionaire and the world's largest privately owned diamond manufacturer, Lev Leviev is to take on mighty De Beers by opening a chain of retail outlets to sell diamonds. The first Leviev will open in London in the spring.

Zone expands to Australia

Israeli developer of interactive gaming Zone 4 Play which has built up its client base in the UK is expanding to Australia. Games on offer to Australian players will include bingo, lucky numbers as well as lottery.

Better business comes to Israel

Are Israeli consumers finally going to have a gritty, independent consumer organisation? Emun aims to be an independent authority that will provide consumers with information on how various companies and shops conduct business.

Israel improves consumer safety

Israel has become the latest country to sign a Statement of Intent with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission to improve the safety of consumer products. Under the Statement, both countries will work together to improve communication on consumer safety.

Israel's undie success

Even wondered who was the behind the label that made the underwear for your behind? Well, those socks and other intimate apparels that you wear have probably been manufactured by one of Israel's leading textile companies.

Doing business online

Givony, one of Israel's leading names in leather products is turning to eBay to sell its products to customers outside the country. Inspired by Italy and using Italian leather for its products, Givony is based in Nes Ziona.

Doing business with Israel

Looking to do business with Israel? The 6th Go4Europe conference will be taking place at the Hilton in Tel Aviv and aims to provide an opportunity for both Israelis and Europeans to meet up, schmooze and discuss ways in which they can do business.

British energy in Israel

BG Group, the British-based global energy company is looking to expand its business interests in Israel as the country begins to offer favourable conditions for foreign businesses to supply energy.

Landing investment

An Israeli company that helps airport owners with control systems of their airfields has attracted investment from British venture capital company 3i. Transtech Control with headquarters in Herzlia supplies its system to over 100 airports across the globe.

Get busy with Israeli fizzy

Since 1903, SodaStream has been helping people make soft drinks in the privacy of their own home and saving money in the process. And behind SodaStream is an Israeli connection - Soda-Club International.

Israeli buys Hilton hotels

Managed Hotels Unit Trust, an Israeli-backed property company owned by property magnate Yigal Ahuvi has emerged as the buyer of 15 Hilton Hotels in the UK for £382m.

Teva's great deal

By the middle of January 2006, Israeli drugs company Teva will have merged with Florida drugs company Ivax to create the world's biggest manufacturer of generic pharmaceuticals.

Israeli man of the year

David Wiessman, the head of Alon, one of Israel's biggest companies which owns a large stake in Israeli energy as well as fast food restaurants including Pizza Hut has been named Globe magazine's Man of the Year.

Ness merges IT and managed services

Global IT outsourcing company Ness Technologies is growing its business with the formal setting up of a dedicated division in Israel. While, Ness itself has always had one of its headquarters in Israel, the move sees Ness Israel as a unit for the region.

Israeli plastic people

Next time you get a bathroom mirror or other plastic furnishings for your home, it's quite likely that Israeli firm Keter is behind it. Its products are sold through some of the biggest names in home improvements including Home Depot in the US and B & Q in the UK.

Outsource to Jerusalem

Jerusalem is looking to sell itself as the place to choose for outsourcing of services including customer support and other business processes. The Israeli capital says it has the people, resources and structure to deliver a world class service at a low cost.

Play to win big

One of the leading companies behind the scenes in powering many of the online casinos in which people play is Playtech. This Israeli founded business powers a real A-Z of major casinos including Aspinalls and Titan Poker.