The Israel Association of Software Houses & Israel Association of Electronics & Information Industries informed last week that foreign companies bought, during 2005, 15 Israeli software companies for an aggregate sum of $500m

The new CEO of Israel Railways said it had closed all level crossings without barriers, and in the future, there will be no such level crossings without barriers

The Central Bureau of Statistics ( CBS ) announced last week that Israel’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.1% in September. The September increase brought the total CPI rate of increase to date, to 1.9%

Egyptian authorities rejected last week entry into Egyptian territory of Israeli goods loaded on wooden pallets at the Nitzana border crossing

Bill Gates, Microsoft founder and Chairman, will arrive in Israel, for the first time, tomorrow evening for a one-day visit. Gates visit to Israel is part of his annual European tour, presenting his vision for "the new world of work"

The first China Shipping TEU 4250 capacity containership "Xin Yang Shan" docked last week for the first time at the port of Ashdod

British Airways said last week that as from the end of March 2006, it will increase of 20% its capacity, adding 1,380 seats on the London-Tel Aviv route

The research and economic department of the Manufacturers Association of Israel ( MAI ) issued last week a prediction that within 10 years industrial sales will grow by 65% to $105 billion a year