by Yoram Ettinger
For the first time, Israel's country default spread (2.48 percent) -- which reflects the risk premium on government bonds -- is similar to that of the U.S. (2.38 percent).
The trend of Israel's
economy from 1948 until today has reaffirmed that time has been working
for, not against, Israel. Moreover, the ongoing war, terrorism,
international pressure and boycotts, which have challenged Israel since
its establishment in 1948, have been exposed -- in retrospect -- as
bumps and hurdles on the road to unprecedented economic growth.
The sustained,
impressive growth of Israel's economy throughout the last 30 years --
in defiance of endemic geopolitical and military adversity -- is
documented in an August 2014 study by Dr. Adam Reuter, the CEO of
Financial Immunities Consulting and the chairman of Reuter-Maydan
Investment House. Israel's gross domestic product catapulted from $30
billion in 1984 to $300 billion in 2014; per capita GDP surged from
$7,000 to $38,000; the public debt to GDP ratio shrank from 280
percent to 66 percent; the external public debt to GDP ratio contracted
from 55 percent to 10 percent; the budget deficit to GDP ratio
decreased from 17 percent to 3 percent; the defense budget reduced from
20 percent to 6 percent; annual inflation collapsed from 450 percent
to 1 percent; the foreign exchange reserves swelled from $3 billion to
$89 billion; exports rose from $10 billion to $90 billion; high tech
exports expanded from $1 billion to $28 billion; research and
development expenditures to GDP ratio grew from 1.3 percent to 4.2
percent; the population of Israel grew from 4.1 million to 8.2 million,
etc. The growth from 1948 is even more impressive: a 2000 percent
growth in GDP, from $1.5 billion to $300 billion.
Assessing the impact of
the Gaza war on Israel's economy against the backdrop of the three
previous wars -- 2006 against Lebanon's Hezbollah and 2009 and 2012
against Gaza's Hamas -- demonstrates an exceptional capability to
bounce back rapidly, except for the gradual recovery of tourism, which
accounts for 2 percent of Israel's GDP. The pattern of
crisis-to-recovery has always featured an abrupt and short-lived crisis
followed by a speedy -- not a prolonged -- recovery (a "V" and not a
"U" shaped graph).
For example, according to the Bank of Israel,
the 2006 war against Hezbollah triggered an immediate drop of GDP from
more than 6 percent to a negative growth of 1.5 percent, followed by a
swift recovery to almost 10 percent growth in the following quarter
(prior to the global economic meltdown). The effects of the 2009 and
2012 wars were significantly more moderate, but recovery was as rapid.
The 2014 Gaza war is
estimated to lower Israel's 2014 GDP by 0.5 percent. Based on recent
precedents, it will have insignificant influence on foreign investors,
most of whom seek the know-how-intensive Israeli high tech companies,
which are minimally vulnerable to rocket and missile fire. Moreover,
the expanded global interest in Israeli-developed and manufactured,
battle-tested defense systems (e.g., Iron Dome, Trophy, etc.) -- which
demonstrated their unique capabilities during the Gaza war -- is
expected to bolster a quick recovery and the continued growth of
Israel's economy.
In 2014, Israel is the
world's top exporter of drones, the world's co-leader (along with the
U.S.) in the development, manufacturing and launching of small and
medium sized satellites, the second-largest cyber exporter in the world
-- $3 billion in 2013, 5 percent of total exports and three times
larger than Britain's, as well as an emerging natural gas power.
The February 2014
International Monetary Fund Israel Country Report stated: "Israel has
been exposed to a series of shocks, including the global crisis and
heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Nevertheless, GDP
growth has averaged 4 percent over the past 5 years, compared with 0.7
percent on average for OECD countries. Per capita GDP grows more
rapidly than in other OECD countries."
The three leading
credit rating companies, Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch
reaffirmed Israel's high credit rating, emphasizing its fiscal
responsibility, economic dynamism and resilience, while lowering the
credit rating of many developed economies. According to the OECD annual
2013 report, Israel is the fourth most attractive country for foreign
direct investment per GDP -- 4 percent, compared to 1.6 percent in the
top 16 economies. Warren Buffett attests to that distinction: "Israel
is the leading, largest and most promising investment hub outside the
United States." In addition, leading U.S. venture capital funds
established Israel-dedicated funds, and over 250 leading U.S. high tech
companies established research and development centers in Israel,
leveraging Israel's brainpower, which has become a chief pipeline of
cutting edge technologies; thus, expanding U.S. employment, research
and development and exports. Intel's recent decision to invest $6
billion in upgrading one of its six Israeli facilities represents the
confidence of the global high tech community in Israel's long term
viability.
In contrast to those
who wish to boycott Israel, 2013-2014 has highlighted Israel's
expanding trade and investment global network, especially with the
surging economies of China, India and South Korea.
Is time working for or against
Israel? The economic indicators from 1948 until today confirm that
Israel has experienced splendid economic integration and unprecedented
economic growth, in defiance of ongoing war, terrorism, boycotts and
international pressure.
Yoram Ettinger
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=9809
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
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