International Agreements

Bilateral Treaties for the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Foreign Investments

Bilateral Treaties for the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Foreign Investments express the desire of the signing countries to promote investments between both sides.

Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements assist in allaying potential investor's fears of problems and impediments in receiving returns and profits on their investments. Such agreements guarantee the returns and repatriation of investments in cases of nationalization, expropriation, guarantee compensation in case of war, and prevent unequal treatment of foreign investors as compared to local or third country investors.

Signing such an agreement obligates the parties concerned to provide investors with security and rights accorded by international treaties, as stipulated by international law.

The pace of Israeli investments abroad has accelerated as of the mid-90`s, as a consequence of the liberalization, deregulation and globalization of the Israeli economy, as well as the significant economic reforms undertook since then.

As part of Israel's economic strategy of globalization and liberalization, which included a wide range of Free Trade Agreements as well as a the unilateral trade liberalization program, which led to specialization and efficiency - industries, in which Israel does not have a comparative advantage, invested and moved abroad, mainly to emerging markets. Furthermore, liberalization in the Foreign Exchange market enabled Israeli enterprises to invest and establish subsidiaries abroad, including services providers.

The following Investments Agreements, as a complementary device to the Trade and Double Taxation Agreements, foster that tendency of integrating Israel's economic and financial market into the global market.

Following is a list of countries that have signed Investment Agreements with Israel. Press a country to see the agreement. (pdf form)

Israel's Free Trade and Cooperation in Industrial R&D Agreements are signed by the Foreign Trade Administration in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor. For more information please visit the Foreign Trade Administration website